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RICHELIEU: OR, THE CONSPIRACY. 



RICHELIEU: OR 

THE CONSPIRACY 
BY EDWARD BULWER 
LORD LYTTON * Illustrated 
by F. C. GORDON 





AUt- 



■*sv\ 



NEW YORK: DODD, MEAD 
AND COMPANY, MDCCCXCVI 



.Ai 



Copyright, 1896, 
By Dodd, Mead and Co. 



All rights reserved. 



^nfoersttg Press: 

John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. 



TO 

THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, K. B., 

ETC., ETC. 

&j)fe Btama is Enscrifceti, 

IN TRIBUTE TO THE TALENTS WHICH COMMAND AND 
THE QUALITIES WHICH ENDEAR RESPECT. 



RICHELIEU: OR, THE CONSPIRACY. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 

Headpiece. Act I 2 

De Mauprat throws and loses 20 

" i wtll trust you " , . 24 

"Messire de Mauprat, I arrest you!" 31 

Francois. " Mademoiselle de Mortemar " . . . , 36 

"No; not an Orphan while Richelieu lives" 39 

"Your Eminence" 42 

Richelieu. "Noon claimed the Duel" ..... 48 

" Unsay those Words ! " 50 

" I, my Lord " 52 

"All Means to crush" S7 

"Oh, speak, my Lord" 59 

Headpiece. Act II .63 

"Was ever Fate like mine?" . 65 

" Join us and with us triumph " j$ 

" Vengeance ! to thee " 84 

Richelieu. "Did Hand to Hand engage" .... 87 

"Whoever your Eminence may father!" 93 

Huguet. " At thy Cost, Deceiver ! " . . . . . . 96 

Huguet. "You leave me dumb with Gratitude" . 100 

Headpiece, Act III 105 

"Dare you say 'Yielded'?" 115 

"What Years of Anguish crowd!" ...... 117 

"How heavy is the Air ! " 119 



io List of Illustrations. 

PAGE 

"Henceforth all Bond is broken" ...... 125 

Julie. "A Hoarse, Gathering Murmur!" , ... 129 

"Back to Paris" . . 131 

Headpiece. Act IV .."... 141 

"At Times he sighs" 142 

"Thou Triple Slanderer!" 149 

Richelieu. "High Treason — Faviaux ! " 152 

Francois. "The despatch! — to whom?" i 55 

Richelieu. "To those who sent you!" .... 167 

Headpiece. Act V . . . . 175 

"you cannot enter, monk >j ....... 1 77 

"What can be done?" ... 180 

Francois. "And this is left us!" . , ... 184 

Baradas. "Hist! — Here comes the King!"' . . . 187 

Louis. " Mercy, Julie, is an Affair of State " . 190 

"Now I know I'm Mad" ... . . . - . 192 

" I write the Sentence ! " . . 193 

"We have decided, — Death" ........ 196 

"I, — I — faint" ............ 190 

" Myself ! — most urgent ! n ..... . ... 206 

Tailpiece ,..,.. 213 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



Louis the Thirteenth. 

Gaston, Duke of Orleans, brother to Louis the Thirteenth. 

Baradas, favourite of the King, First Gentleman of the Cham- 
ber, Preitiier Ecuyer, &c. 

Cardinal Richelieu. 

The Chevalier de Mauprat. 

The Sieur de Beringhen, in attendance op. the King, one of 
the Conspirators. 

Joseph, a Capuchin, Richelieu's confidant. 

Huguet, an officer of Richelieu's household guard, — a Spy. 

Francois, First Page to Richelieu. 

First Courtier. 

Captain of the Archers. 

First, Second, Third Secretaries of State. 

Governor of the Bastile. 

Gaoler. 

Courtiers, Pages, Conspirators, Officers, Soldiers, &c. 

Julie de Mortemar, an Orphan, ward to Richelieu. 

Marion de Lorme, Mistress to Orleans, but in Richelieu's pay. 



PREFACE. 



THE administration of Cardinal Richelieu, whom 
(despite all his darker qualities) Voltaire and History 
justly consider the true architect of the French mon- 
archy, and the great parent of French civilization, is 
characterized by features alike tragic and comic. A 
weak king — an ambitious favourite ; a despicable con- 
spiracy against the minister, nearly always associated 
with a dangerous treason against the State — these, 
with little variety of names and dates, constitute the 
eventful cycle through which, with a dazzling ease, 
and an arrogant confidence, the great luminary fulfilled 
its destinies. Blent together, in startling contrast, we 
see the grandest achievements and the pettiest agents ; 
— the spy — the mistress — the capuchin ; — the de- 
struction of feudalism; — the humiliation of Austria; — 
the dismemberment of Spain. 

Richelieu himself is still what he was in his own 
day, — a man of two characters. If, on the one hand, 
he is justly represented as inflexible and vindictive, 
crafty and unscrupulous ; so, on the other, it cannot 
be denied that he was placed in times in which the 



14 Preface. 

long impunity of every licence required stern exam- 
ples, — that he was beset by perils and intrigues, which 
gave a certain excuse to the subtlest inventions of 
self-defence, — that his ambition was inseparably con- 
nected with a passionate love for the glory of his coun- 
try, — and that, if he was her dictator, he was not less 
her benefactor. It has been fairly remarked, by the 
most impartial historians, that he was no less generous 
to merit than severe to crime, — that, in the various 
departments of the State, the Army, and the Church, 
he selected and distinguished the ablest aspirants, — 
that the wars which he conducted were, for the most 
part, essential to the preservation of France, and 
Europe itself, from the formidable encroachments of 
the Austrian House, — that, in spite of those wars, the 
people were not oppressed with exorbitant imposts, — 
and that he left the kingdom he had governed in 
a more flourishing and vigorous state than at any 
former period of the French history, or at the decease 
of Louis XIV. 

The cabals formed against this great statesman were 
not carried on by the patriotism of public virtue, or 
the emulation of equal talent; they were but court 
struggles, in which the most worthless agents had re- 
course to the most desperate means. In each, as I 
have before observed, we see combined the twofold 
attempt to murder the minister and to betray the 
country, Such, then, are the agents, and such the 
designs with which truth, in the Drama as in History, 



Preface. 1 5 

requires us to contrast the celebrated Cardinal; — not 
disguising his foibles or his vices, but not unjust to 
the grander qualities (especially the love of country) 
by which they were often dignified, and, at times, 
redeemed. 

The historical drama is the concentration of histor- 
ical events. In the attempt to place upon the stage 
the picture of an era, that licence with dates and de- 
tails, which Poetry permits, and which the highest 
authorities in the drama of France herself have sanc- 
tioned, has been, though not unsparingly, indulged. 
The conspiracy of the Due de Bouillon is, for in- 
stance, amalgamated with the denouement of The Day 
of Dupes ; and circumstances connected with the trea- 
son of Cinq Mars (whose brilliant youth and gloomy 
catastrophe tend to subvert poetic and historic justice, 
by seducing us to forget his base ingratitude and his 
perfidious apostasy) are identified with the fate of the 
earlier favourite, Baradas, whose sudden rise and as 
sudden fall passed into a proverb. I ought to add 
that the noble romance of " Cinq Mars " suggested 
one of the scenes in the fifth act; and that for the 
conception of some portion of the intrigue connected 
with De Mauprat and Julie, I am, with great alter- 
ations of incident, and considerable if not entire re- 
construction of character, indebted to an early and 
admirable novel by the author of " Picciola," 

London, March, 1839. 



NOTE. 

The length of the Play necessarily requires curtailments 
on the Stage, — the principal of which are enclosed within 
brackets. Many of the passages thus omitted, however im- 
material to the audience, must obviously be such as the 
reader would be least inclined to dispense with, — viz. those 
which, without being absolutely essential to the business of 
the Stage, contain either the subtler strokes of character, or 
the more poetical embellishments of description. An impor- 
tant consequence of these suppressions is, that Richelieu 
himself is left, too often and too unrelievedly, to positions 
which place him in an amiable light, without that shadowing 
forth of his more sinister motives and his fiercer qualities, 
which is attempted in the written play. Thus the character 
takes a degree of credit due only to the situation. To judge 
the Author's conception of Richelieu fairly, and to estimate 
how far it is consistent with historical portraiture, the Play 
must be read. 




J 



Scene I. 

A room in the house of Marion de Lorme ; a table 
towards the front of the stage (with wine, fruits, 
&c), at which are seated Baradas, Four Cour- 
tiers, splendidly dressed in the costume of 164 1—2 ; 
— the Duke of Orleans reclining on a large 
fauteuil ; — Marion de Lorme standing at the 
back of his chair, offers him a goblet, and then 
retires. At another table, De Beringhen, De 
Mauprat, playing at dice ; other Courtiers, of 
inferior rank to those at the table of the Duke, 
looking on. 

ORLEANS {drinking). 

Here 's to our enterprise ! — 

BARADAS (glancing- at MARION). 

Hush, Sir ! — 




1 8 Richelieu 



ORLEANS (aside). 

Nay, Count, 
You may trust her; she doats on me; no house 
So safe as Marion's, [At our statelier homes 
The very walls do play the eaves-dropper. 
There 's not a sunbeam creeping o'er our floors 
But seems a glance from that malignant eye 
Which reigns o'er France ; our fatal greatness lives 
In the sharp glare of one relentless day. 
But Richelieu's self forgets to fear the sword 
The myrtle hides; and Marion's silken robe 
Casts its kind charity o'er fiercer sins 
Than those which haunt the rosy path between 
The lip and eye of beauty. — Oh, no house 
So safe as Marion's.] 

BARADAS. 

Still, we have a secret. 
And oil and water — woman and a secret — 
Are hostile properties. 

ORLEANS. 

Well — Marion, see 
How the play prospers yonder. 

[Marion goes to the next table, looks on for a few 
moments, then exit. 

BARADAS (producing a parchment). 

I have now 
All the conditions drawn ; it only needs 
Our signatures: upon receipt of this, 



or, The Conspiracy. 19 

(Whereto is joined the schedule of our treaty 

With the Count-Duke, the Richelieu of the Escurial), 

Bouillon will join his army with the Spaniard, 

March on to Paris, — there, dethrone the King: 

You will be Regent; I, and ye, my Lords, 

Form the new Council. So much for the core 

Of our great scheme. 

J- ORLEANS. 

But Richelieu is an Argus ; 
One of his hundred eyes will light upon us, 
And then — good-bye to life. 

BARADAS. 

To gain the prize 
We must destroy the Argus : — ay, my Lord, 
The scroll the core, but blood must fill the veins. 
Of our design; — while this dispatched to Bouillon, 
Richelieu dispatched to Heaven ! — The last my charge. 
Meet here to-morrow night. You, Sir, as first 
In honour and in hope, meanwhile select 
Some trusty knave to bear the scroll to Bouillon ; 
'Midst Richelieu's foes Til find some desperate hand 
To strike for vengeance, while we stride to power. 

ORLEANS. 
So be it ; — to-morrow, midnight. — Come, my Lords. 
[Exeunt Orleans, and the Courtiers in his train. 
Those at the other table rise, salute ORLEANS, 
and re-seat themselves. 



20 



Richelieu : 



DE BERINGHEN. 



Double the stakes. 



DE MAUPRAT. 



Done. 




DE BERINGHEN. 

Bravo ; faith, it shames me 
To bleed a purse already in extremis. 



DE MAUPRAT. 
Nay, as you Ve had the patient to yourself 
So long, no other doctor should dispatch it, 

[DE MAUPRAT throws and loses. 



or, The Conspiracy. 21 

OMNES. 

Lost! Ha, ha! — poor De Mauprat ! 

DE BERINGHEN. 

One throw more? 
DE MAUPRAT. 
No; I am bankrupt {pushing gold). There goes all — 
except 

My honour and my sword. 

[They ?'isc. 
DE BERINGHEN. 

Long cloaks and honour 
Went out of vogue together, when we found 
We got on much more rapidly without them; 
The sword, indeed, is never out of fashion, — 
The Devil has care of that. 

FIRST GAMESTER. 

Ay, take the sword 
To Cardinal Richelieu : — he gives gold for steel, 
When worn by brave men. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Richelieu ! 

DE BERINGHEN {to BARADAS). 

At that name 
He changes colour, bites his nether lip. 
Ev'n in his brightest moments whisper " Richelieu," 
And you cloud all his sunshine. 



2 2 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 

I have marked it, 
And I will learn the wherefore. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

The Egyptian 

Dissolved her richest jewel in a draught: 

Would I could so melt time and all its treasures, 

And drain it thus. 

\Drinking. 

DE BERINGHEN. 
Come, gentlemen, what say ye, 
A walk on the parade? 

OMNES. 

Ay; come, De Mauprat. 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Pardon me ; we shall meet again ere nightfall. 

BARADAS. 
I '11 stay and comfort Mauprat. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Comfort ! — when 
We gallant fellows have run out a friend, 
There 's nothing left — except to run him through ! 
There 's the last act of friendship. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Let me keep 
That favour in reserve; in all beside 

Your most obedient servant. 

\Exeunt De Beringhen, &c. Manent De Mauprat 

and Baradas. 



or, The Conspiracy. 23 

BARADAS. 

You have lost — 
Yet are not sad. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Sad ! — Life and gold have wings, 

And must fly one day: — open, then, their cages 

And wish them merry. 

BARADAS. 
You 're a strange enigma: — 
Fiery in war — and yet to glory lukewarm; 

All mirth in action — in repose all gloom 

These are extremes in which the unconscious heart 

Betrays the fever of deep-fixed disease. 

Confide in me ! our young days rolled together 

In the same river, glassing the same stars 

That smile i' the heaven of hope ; alike we made 

Bright-winged steeds of our unformed chimeras, 

Spurring the fancies upward to the air, 

Wherein we shaped fair castles from the cloud. 

Fortune of late has severed us — and led 

Me to the rank of Courtier, Count, and Favourite, — 

You to the titles of the wildest gallant 

And bravest knight in France; are you content? 

No; — trust in me — some gloomy secret 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Ay:- 
A secret that doth haunt me, as, of old, 
Men were possessed of fiends ! — Where'er I turn, 



H 



Richelieu 



The grave yawns dark before me ! — I will trust you 
Hating the Cardinal, and beguiled by Orleans, 
You know I joined the Languedoc revolt — 
Was captured — sent to the Bastile 




BARADAS. 

But shared 

The general pardon, which the Duke of Orleans 

Won for himself and all in the revolt, 

Who but obeyed his orders. 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Note the phrase ; — 
Obeyed his orders." Well, when on my way 



or, The Conspiracy. 25 

To join the Duke in Languedoc, I (then 
The down upon my lip — Jess man than boy) 
Leading young valours, reckless as myself, 
Seized on the town of Faviaux, and displaced 
The Royal banners for the Rebel. Orleans, 
(Never too daring,) when I reached the camp, 
Blamed me for acting — mark — without his orders : 
Upon this quibble Richelieu razed my name 
Out of the general pardon. 



BARADAS. 

Yet released you 



From the Bastile 



DE MAUPRAT. 

To call me to his presence 
And thus address me : — " You have seized a town 
Of France, without the orders of your leader, 
And for this treason, but one sentence — Death." 

BARADAS. 

Death ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
" I have pity on your youth and birth, 
Nor wish to glut the headsman; — join your troop, 
Now on the march against the Spaniards ; — change 
The traitor's scaffold for the soldier's grave : — 
Your memory stainless — they who shared your crime 
Exiled or dead — your king shall never learn it." 



26 Richelieu .- 



BARADAS. 

tender pity ! — O most charming prospect ! 
Blown into atoms by a bomb, or drilled 

Into a cullender by gunshot! — Well? — 

DE MAUPRAT. 
You have heard if I fought bravely. — Death became 
Desired as Daphne by the eager Day-god. 
Like him I chased the nymph — to grasp the laurel ! 

1 could not die ! 

BARADAS. 
Poor fellow ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

When the Cardinal 
Reviewed the troops, his eye met mine ; — he frowned, 
Summoned me forth — " How 's this? " quoth he ; " you 

have shunned 
The sword — beware the axe ! — 't will fall one day ! " 
He left me thus — we were recalled to Paris, 
And — you know all! 

BARADAS. 

And, knowing this, why halt you, 
Spelled by the rattlesnake, — while in the breasts 
Of your firm friends beat hearts, that vow the death 
Of your grim tyrant ? — Wake ! — Be one of us ; 
The time invites — the King detests the Cardinal, 
Dares not disgrace — but groans to be delivered 



or, The Conspiracy. 27 

Of that too great a subject — join your friends, 
Free France, and save yourself. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Hush ! Richelieu bears 
A charmed life ; — to all who have braved his power, 
One common end — the block. 

BARADAS. 

Nay, if he live, 
The block your doom ; — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Better the victim, Count, 
Than the assassin. — France requires a Richelieu, 
But does not need a Mauprat. Truce to this ; — 
All time one midnight, where my thoughts are spectres. 
What to me fame? — What love? — 

BARADAS. 

Yet dost thou love not ? 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Love? — I am young — 

BARADAS. 
And Julie fair ! (Aside.) It is so, 
Upon the margin of the grave — his hand 
Would pluck the rose that I would win and wear ! 
{(Aloud.) Thou lov'st — 



28 Richelieu : 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Who, lonely in the midnight tent, 
Gazed on the watch-fires in the sleepless air, 
Nor chose one star amidst the clustering hosts 
To bless it in the name of some fair face 
Set in his spirit, as that star in Heaven? 
For our divine Affections, like the Spheres, 
Move ever, ever musical. 

BARADAS. 

You speak 
As one who fed on poetry. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Why, man, 
The thoughts of lovers stir with poetry 
As leaves with summer-wind. — The heart that loves 
Dwells in an Eden, hearing angel-lutes, 
As Eve in the First Garden. Hast thou seen 
My Julie, and not felt it henceforth dull 
To live in the common world — and talk in words 
That clothe the feelings of the frigid herd ? — 
Upon the perfumed pillow of her lips — 
As on his native bed of roses flushed 
With Paphian skies — Love smiling sleeps : — Her voice 
The blest interpreter of thoughts as pure 
As virgin wells where Dian takes delight, 
Or fairies dip their changelings ! — In the maze 
Of her harmonious beauties — Modesty 



or, The Conspiracy. 29 

(Like some severer Grace that leads the choir 

Of her sweet sisters) every airy motion 

Attunes to such chaste charm, that Passion holds 

His burning breath, and will not with a sigh 

Dissolve the spell that binds him ! — Oh those eyes 

That woo the earth — shadowing more soul than lurks 

Under the lids of Psyche ! — Go ! — thy lip 

Curls at the purfled phrases of a lover — 

Love thou, and if thy love be deep as mine, 

Thou wilt not laugh at poets. 

BAR AD AS (aside). 

With each word 
Thou wak'st a jealous demon in my heart, 
And my hand clutches at my hilt. — ] 

DE MAUPRAT {gaily). 

No more ! — 
I love ! — Your breast holds both my secrets ; — Never 
Unbury either ! — Come, while yet we may, 
We '11 bask us in the noon of rosy life : — 
Lounge through the gardens, — flaunt it in the tav- 
erns, — 
Laugh, — game, — drink, — feast : — If so confined my 

days, 
Faith, I '11 enclose the nights. — Pshaw ! not so grave ; 
I 'm a true Frenchman ! — Vive la bagatelle ! 

[As they are going out, enter HUGUET and four 
Arquebusiers. 



3° 



Richelieu : 



HUGUET. 

Messire De Mauprat, I arrest you ! — Follow 
To the Lord Cardinal. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

You see, my friend, 
I 'm out of my suspense ! — the tiger 's played 
Long enough with his prey. — Farewell ! — Hereafter 
Say, when men name me, " Adrien de Mauprat 
Lived without hope, and perished without fear ! " 

[Exeunt Be Mauprat, Huguet, &c. 

BARADAS. 
Farewell ! — I trust for ever ! I designed thee 

For Richelieu's murderer but, as well his martyr ! 

In childhood you the stronger — and I cursed you; 
In youth the fairer — and I cursed you still; 
And now my rival ! — While the name of Julie 
Hung on thy lips — I smiled — for then I saw, 
In my mind's eye, the cold and grinning Death 
Hang o'er thy head the pall ! — Ambition, Love, 
Ye twin-born stars of daring destinies, 
Sit in my house of Life ! — By the King's aid 
I will be Julie's husband — in despite 
Of my Lord Cardinal ! — by the King's aid 
I will be minister of France — in spite 
Of my Lord Cardinal ! — And then — what then? 
The King loves Julie — feeble Prince — false master — 
[Pro "during and gazing on the parchment. 






or, The Conspiracy. 33 

Then, by the aid of Bouillon, and the Spaniard, 
I will dethrone the King ; and all — ha ! — ha ! — - 
All, in despite of my Lord Cardinal ! 

\Exit 



SCENE II. 

A room in the Palais Cardinal, the walls hung with arras. A 
large screen in one corner. A table covered with books, pa- 
pers, 6°<r. A rude clock in a recess. Busts, statues, book- 
cases, weapons of different periods and banners suspended 
over Richelieu's chair. 

Richelieu and Joseph. 

RICHELIEU. 
And so you think this new conspiracy 

The craftiest trap yet laid for the old fox? 

Fox ! — Well, I like the nickname ! — What did Plutarch 
Say of the Greek Lysander? 



JOSEPH. 



I forget. 



RICHELIEU. 
That where the lion's skin fell short, he eked it 
Out with the fox's ! A great statesman, Joseph, 
That same Lysander ! 

JOSEPH. 

Orleans heads the traitors. 



34 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

A very wooden head then ! Well? 

JOSEPH. 
Count Baradas — 



The favourite, 



RICHELIEU. 

A weed of hasty growth ; 
First gentleman of the chamber — titles, lands, 
And the King's ear ! — It cost me six long winters 
To mount as high, as in six little moons 

This painted lizard But I hold the ladder, 

And when I shake — he falls ! What more? 

JOSEPH. 

A scheme 

To make your orphan-ward an instrument 

To aid your foes. You placed her with the Queen, 

One of the royal chamber, — as a watch 

I' th' enemy's quarters — 

RICHELIEU. 

And the silly child 
Visits me daily, — calls me " Father," — prays 
Kind Heaven to bless me — And for all the rest, 
As well have placed a doll about the Queen ! 
She does not heed who frowns — who smiles ; with whom 
The King confers in whispers ; notes not when 
Men who last week were foes, are found in corners 
Mysteriously affectionate ; words spoken 



or, The Conspiracy. 35 

Within closed doors she never hears ; — by chance 

Taking the air at keyholes — Senseless puppet ! 

No ears — nor eyes ! — and yet she says — " She loves 

me ! " 
Go on — — 

JOSEPH. 
Your ward has charmed the King — 

RICHELIEU. 

Out on you ! 
Have I not, one by one, from such fair shoots 
Plucked the insidious ivy of his love? 
And shall it creep around my blossoming tree, 
Where innocent thoughts, like happy birds, make music 
That spirits in Heaven might hear? — They 're sinful too, 
Those passionate surfeits of the rampant flesh, 
The Church condemns them ; and to us, my Joseph, 
The props and pillars of the Church, most hurtful. 
The King is weak — whoever the King loves 
Must rule the King; the lady loves another, 
The other rules the lady — thus we 're balked 
Of our own proper sway — The King must have 
No goddess but the State : — the State — That 's 
Richelieu ! 

JOSEPH. 
This not the worst ; — Louis, in all decorous, 
And deeming you her least compliant guardian, 
Would veil his suit by marriage with his minion, 
Your prosperous foe, 'Count Baradas ! 



36 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

Ha! ha! 
I have another bride for Baradas. 

JOSEPH. 
You, my Lord? 

RICHELIEU. 

Ay — more faithful than the love 
Of fickle woman : — when the head lies lowliest, 
Clasping him fondest ; — Sorrow never knew 
So sure a soother, — and her bed is stainless ! 

JOSEPH (aside). 

If of the grave he speaks, I do not wonder 
That priests are bachelors ! 

Enter FRANCOIS. 

FRANCOIS. 

Mademoiselle de Mortemar. 

RICHELIEU. 

Most opportune — admit her. 

{Exit Francois. 
In my closet 
You '11 find a rosary, Joseph ; ere you tell 
Three hundred beads, I '11 summon you. ■ — Stay, 
Joseph ; — 



or, The Conspiracy. 



37 



I did omit an Ave in my matins, — 
A grievous fault ; — atone it for me, Joseph ; 
There is a scourge within ; I am weak, you strong. 
It were but charity to take my sin 
On such broad shoulders. Exer- 
cise is healthful. 



JOSEPH. 

I! guilty of such criminal presump- 
tion 

As to mistake myself for you — 
No, never ! 

Think it not ! — [Aside.) Troth, a 
pleasant invitation ! 

[Exit Joseph, 

Enter Julie DE MORTEMAR. 

RICHELIEU. 

That 's my sweet Julie ! — why, 

upon this face 
Blushes such daybreak, one might 

swear the Morning 
Were come to visit Tithon. 




JULIE {placing herself at his feet). 

Are you gracious? — - 



May I say " Father"? 



RICHELIEU. 
Now and ever ! 



38 Richelieu 



JULIE. 
A sweet word to an orphan. 



Father ! 



RICHELIEU. 

No ; not orphan 
While Richelieu lives ; thy father loved me well ; 
My friend, ere I had flatterers (now, I 'm great, 
In other phrase, I 'm friendless) — he died young 
In years, not service, and bequeathed thee to me ; 
And thou shalt have a dowry, girl, to buy 
Thy mate amidst the mightiest. Drooping? — sighs? 
Art thou not happy at the court? 

* 

JULIE. 

Not often. 

RICHELIEU {aside). 

Can she love Baradas ? — Ah ! at thy heart 

There 's what can smile and sigh, blush and grow pale, 

All in a breath? — Thou art admired — art young; 

Does not his Majesty commend thy beauty — 

Ask thee to sing to him? — and swear such sounds 

Had smoothed the brows of Saul? — 



JULIE. 

He's very tiresome, 
Our worthy King. 



or, The Conspiracy* 41 

RICHELIEU. 

Fie ! kings are never tiresome, 
Save to their ministers. — What courtly gallants 
Charm ladies most? — De Lourdiac, Longueville, or 
The favourite Baradas? 

JULIE. 

A smileless man — 
I fear and shun him. 

RICHELIEU. 
Yet he courts thee? 

JULIE. 

Then 
He is more tiresome than his Majesty. 

RICHELIEU. 

Right, girl, shun Baradas. — Yet of these flowers 
Of France, not one, in whose more honeyed breath 
Thy heart hears Summer whisper? 

Enter HuGUET. 

HUGUET. 

The Chevalier 
De Mauprat waits below. 

JULIE (starting up) . 
De Mauprat ! 



4 2 



Richelieu 



RICHELIEU. 

He has been tiresome too ! — Anon. 




Hem! 
[Exit HUGUET. 

JULIE. 
What doth he ? — 
I mean — I — Does your Emi- 
nence — that is — 
Know you Messire de Mauprat? 

RICHELIEU. 

Well ! — and you - 

Has he addressed you often ? 

JULIE. 

Often ! — No — 

'j Nine times ; — nay, ten ; — the 

last time, by the lattice 

Of the great staircase. — (In 

a melancholy tone). The 

Court sees him rarely. 

RICHELIEU. 
A bold and forward royster? 



JULIE, 



Gentle, and sad, methinks. 



He? — nay, modest, 



RICHELIEU. 

Wears gold and azure? 



or, The Conspiracy. 43 



JULIE. 
No ; sable. 

RICHELIEU. 
So you note his colours, Julie? 
Shame on you, child ; look loftier. By the mass, 
I have business with this modest gentleman. 

JULIE. 
You 're angry with poor Julie. There 's no cause. 

RICHELIEU. 
No cause — you hate my foes? 

JULIE. 

I do! 

RICHELIEU. 

Hate Mauprat? 

JULIE. 

Not Mauprat. No, not Adrien, father. 

RICHELIEU. 

Adrien ! 

Familiar ! — Go, child ; no, — not that way ; — wait 

In the tapestry chamber ; I will join you, — go. 

JULIE. 

His brows are knit; — I dare not call him father! 
But I must speak — Your Eminence 



44 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU {sternly). 

Well, girl ! 

JULIE. 

Nay, 
Smile on me — one smile more; there, now I'm happy. 
Do not rank Mauprat with your foes ; he is not, 
I know he is not ; he loves France too well. 

RICHELIEU. 

Not rank De Mauprat with my foes? So be it. 
I '11 blot him from that list. 

JULIE. 

That 's my own father. 

\_Exit Julie. 

RICHELIEU {ringing a small bell on the table). 
Huguet ! 

Enter HUGUET. 
De Mauprat struggled not, nor murmured? 

HUGUET. 

No ; proud and passive. 

RICHELIEU. 

Bid him enter. — Hold : 
Look that he hide no weapon. Humph, despair 
Makes victims sometimes victors. When he has entered 



or, The Conspiracy. 45 

Glide round unseen ; — place thyself yonder {pointing to 

the screeii) ; watch him ; 
If he show violence — (let me see thy carbine ; 
So, a good weapon ;) — if he play the lion, 
Why — the dog's death. 

HUGUET. 

I never miss my mark. 
[Exit Huguet ; Richelieu seats himself at the table, and 
slowly arranges the papers before him. Enter De 
Mauprat preceded by Huguet, who then retires behind 
the screen. 

RICHELIEU. 
Approach, Sir. — Can you call to mind the hour, 
Now three years since, when in this room, methinks, 
Your presence honoured me? 



One of my most 



DE MAUPRAT. 

It is, my Lord, 



RICHELIEU {drily). 



Delightful recollections. 



DE MAUPRAT [aside). 
St. Denis ! doth he make a jest of axe 
And headsman? 

RICHELIEU {sternly). 

I did then accord you 
A mercy ill requited — you still live ! 



4-6 Richelieu : 



DE MAUPRAT. 

To meet death face to face at last. 
[RICHELIEU. 
Are bold. 



Your words 



DE MAUPRAT. 

My deeds have not belied them. 

RICHELIEU. 

Deeds ! 
O miserable delusion of man's pride ! 
Deeds ! cities sacked, fields ravaged, hearths profaned, 
Men butchered ! In your hour of doom behold 
The deeds you boast of! From rank showers of blood, 
And the red light of blazing roofs, you build 
The Rainbow Glory, and to shuddering Conscience 
Cry, — Lo, the Bridge to Heaven ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

If war be sinful, 
Your hand the gauntlet cast. 

RICHELIEU. 

It was so, Sir. 
Note the distinction : — I weighed well the cause 
Which made the standard holy; raised the war 
But to secure the peace. France bled — I groaned ; 
But looked beyond; and, in the vista, saw 
France saved, and I exulted. You — but you 



or, The Conspiracy. 4 7 

Were but the tool of slaughter — knowing naught, 
Foreseeing naught, naught hoping, naught lamenting, 
And for naught fit — save cutting throats for hire. 
Deeds, marry, deeds ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

If you would deign to speak 
Thus to your armies ere they march to battle, 
Perchance your Eminence might have the pain 
Of the throat-cutting to yourself. 

RICHELIEU [aside). 

He has wit, 
This Mauprat — [Aloud) Let it pass ; there is against 

you 
What you can less excuse.] Messire de Mauprat, 
Doomed to sure death, how hast thou since consumed 
The time allotted thee for serious thought 
And solemn penitence? 

DE MAUPRAT {embarrassed). 

The time, my Lord? 

RICHELIEU. 
Is not the question plain? I '11 answer for thee. 
Thou hast sought nor priest nor shrine : no sackcloth 

chafed 
Thy delicate flesh. The rosary and the death's-head 
Have not, with pious meditation, purged 
Earth from the carnal gaze. What thou hast not done 



4 8 



Richelieu : 



Brief told ; what done, a volume! Wild debauch, 
Turbulent riot: — for the morn the dice-box — 
Noon claimed the duel — and the night the wassail 
These, your most holy, pure preparatives 
For death and judgment. Do I wrong you, Sir? 




DE MAUPRAT. 

I was not always thus : — if changed my nature, 
Blame that which changed my fate. — Alas, my Lord, 
[There is a brotherhood which calm-eyed Reason 
Can wot not of betwixt Despair and Mirth. 



or % The Conspiracy. 49 

My birthplace 'mid the vines of sunny Provence, 
Perchance the stream that sparkles in my veins 
Came from that wine of passionate life which, erst, 
Glowed in the wild heart of the Troubadour: 
And danger, which makes steadier courage wary, 
But fevers me with an insane delight; 
As one of old who on the mountain crags 
Caught madness from a Maenad's haunting eyes. 
Were you, my Lord, — whose path imperial power, 
And the grave cares of reverent wisdom, guard 
From all that tempts to folly meaner men, — ] 
Were you accursed with that which you inflicted — 
By bed and board, dogged by one ghastly spectre — 
The while within you youth beat high, and life 
Grew lovelier from the neighbouring frown of death — 
The heart no bud, nor fruit — save in those seeds 
Most worthless, which spring up, bloom, bear, and wither 
In the same hour — Were this your fate, perchance 
You would have erred like me ! 

RICHELIEU. 

I might, like you, 
Have been a brawler and a reveller ; — not, 
Like you, a trickster and a thief. — 

DE MAUPRAT {advancing threateningly). 

Lord Cardinal ! 
Unsay those words ! — 

[HUGUET deliberately raises the carbine. 



50 



Richelieu 



RICHELIEU {waving his Iiamf) 

Not quite so quick, friend Huguet ; 
Messire de Mauprat is a patient man, 

And he can wait ! — 

You have outrun your fortune ; — 
I blame you not, that you would 

be a beggar — 
Each to his taste ! — - But I do 

charge you, Sir, 
That, being beggared, you would 

coin false moneys 
Out of that crucible, called DEBT. 

— To live 
On means not yours — be brave in 

silks and laces, 
Gallant in steeds — splendid in 

banquets ; — all 
Not yours — ungiven — uninherited 

— unpaid for; — - 
This is to be a trickster; and to 

filch 
Men's art and labour, which to 

them is wealth, 
Life, daily bread, — quitting all 
scores with — " Friend, 
You 're troublesome ! " —Why this, forgive me, 
Is what — when done with less dainty grace — 
Plain folks call " Theft ! " — You owe eight thousand 

pistoles 
Minus one crown, two liards ! 




or, The Conspiracy. 51 

- v de mauprat {aside). 

The old conjurer! — 
'Sdeath, he '11 inform me next how many cups 
I drank at dinner ! — 

RICHELIEU. 
This is scandalous, 

Shaming your birth and blood. I tell you, Sir, 

That you must pay your debts. — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

With all my heart, 
My Lord. — Where shall I borrow, then, the money? 

RICHELIEU {aside and laughing). 

A humorous dare-devil ! — The very man 
To suit my purpose — ready, frank, and bold ! 

[Rising and earnestly. 
Adrien de Mauprat, men have called me cruel ; — 
I am not; — I am just ! — I found France rent asun- 
der, — 
The rich men despots, and the poor banditti ; — 
Sloth in the mart, and schism within the temple; 
Brawls festering to Rebellion ; and weak Laws 
Rotting away with rust in antique sheaths. — 
I have re-created France ; and, from the ashes 
Of the old feudal and decrepit carcase, 
Civilisation on her luminous wings 
Soars, phcenix-like, to Jove ! — What was my art? 



52 



Richelieu 



Genius, some say, — some, Fortune, — Witchcraft, some. 
Not so ; — my art was Justice ! — Force and Fraud 
Misname it cruelty — you shall confute them ! 
My champion YOU ! — You met me as your foe, 

Depart my friend — You shall not die. 

— France needs you. 
You shall wipe off all stains, — be rich, 

be honoured, 
Be great. 

[De Mauprat falls on his knee — 
Richelieu raises him. 

I ask, Sir, in return, this hand, 
To gift it with a bride, whose dower shall 

match, 
Yet not exceed, her beauty. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

, I, my Lord, — (hesitating). 

ji I have no wish to marry. 




RICHELIEU. 



Surely, Sir, 



To die were worse. 



DE MAUPRAT. 



Scarcely ; the poorest coward 
Must die, — but knowingly to march to marriage — 
My Lord, it asks the courage of a lion ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 53 

RICHELIEU. 

Traitor, thou triflest with me ! — I know all ! 
Thou hast dared to love my ward — my charge. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

As rivers 

May love the sunlight — basking in the beams, 

And hurrying on ! — 

RICHELIEU. 
Thou hast told her of thy love? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

My Lord, if I had dared to love a maid, 

Lowliest in France, I would not so have wronged her, 

As bid her link rich life and virgin hope 

With one, the deathman's gripe might, from her side, 

Pluck at the nuptial altar. 

RICHELIEU. 

I believe thee ; 
Yet since she knows not of thy love, renounce her; — 
Take life and fortune with another ! — Silent? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Your fate has been one triumph — You know not 
How blessed a thing it was in my dark hour 
To nurse the one sweet thought you bid me banish. 
Love hath no need of words ; — nor less within 



54 Richelieu : 



That holiest temple — the Heaven-builded soul — 
Breathes the recorded vow. — Base knight, — false lover 
Were he, who bartered all that brightened grief, 
Or sanctified despair, for life and gold. 
Revoke your mercy ; — I prefer the fate 
I looked for ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Huguet ! to the tapestry chamber 
Conduct your prisoner. (To Mauprat.) 

You will there behold 
The executioner: — your doom be private — 
And Heaven have mercy on you ! — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

When I am dead, 
Tell her, I loved her. 

RICHELIEU. 

Keep such follies, Sir, 
For fitter ears ; — go — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Does he mock me? 
[Exeunt De Mauprat, Huguet. 

RICHELIEU. 

Joseph ! 
Come forth. 



or, The Conspiracy. 55 

Enter Joseph. 

Methinks your cheek hast lost its rubies; 
I fear you have been too lavish of the flesh ; 
The scourge is heavy. 

JOSEPH. 

Pray you, change the subject. 

RICHELIEU. 

You good men are so modest — Well, to business ! 
Go instantly — deeds — notaries ! — bid my stewards 
Arrange my house by the Luxembourg — my house 
No more ! — a bridal present to my ward, 
Who weds to-morrow. 

JOSEPH. 
Weds, with whom? 



Penniless husband ! 



RICHELIEU. 



JOSEPH. 



RICHELIEU. 



De Mauprat. 



Bah ! the mate for beauty 
Should be a man, and not a money-chest ! 
When her brave sire lay on his bed of death, 
I vowed to be a father to his Julie : — 
And so he died — the smile upon his lips ! — 
And when I spared the life of her young lover, 



56 Richelieu: 



Methought I saw that smile again ! — Who else, 
Look you, in all the court — who else so well 
Brave or supplant the favourite; — balk the King — 
Baffle their schemes? — I have tried him: — He has 

honour 
And courage ; — qualities that eagle-plume 
Men's souls, — and fit them for the fiercest sun, 
Which ever melted the weak waxen minds 
That flutter in the beams of gaudy Power ! 
Besides, he has taste, this Mauprat: — When my play 
Was acted to dull tiers of lifeless gapers, 
Who had no soul for poetry, I saw him 
Applaud in the proper places; — trust me, Joseph, 
He is a man of an uncommon promise ! 

JOSEPH. 
And yet your foe. 

RICHELIEU. 

Have I not foes enow? — 
Great men gain doubly when they make foes friends. 
Remember my grand maxims : — First employ 
All methods to conciliate. 

JOSEPH. 

Failing these? 

RICHELIEU {fiercely). 
All means to crush : as with the opening and 
The clenching of this little hand, I will 
Crush the small venom of these stinging courtiers. 
So, so, we Ve baffled Baradas. 



or, The Conspiracy. 



57 



JOSEPH. 



And when 



Check the conspiracy? 




RICHELIEU. 



Check, check? Full way to it. 
Let it bud, ripen, flaunt i' the day, and burst 



58 Richelieu 



To fruit, — the Dead Sea's fruit of ashes; ashes 
Which I will scatter to the winds. 

Go, Joseph ; 
When you return I have a feast for you ; 
The last great act of my great play : the verses, 
Methinks, are fine, — ah, very fine. — You write 
Verses! — {aside) such verses! — You have wit, dis- 
cernment. 

JOSEPH (aside). 

Worse than the scourge! Strange that so great a 

statesman 
Should be so bad a poet. 

RICHELIEU. 

What dost thou say? 

JOSEPH. 

That it is strange so great a statesman should 
Be so sublime a poet. 

RICHELIEU. 

Ah, you rogue; 
Laws die, Books never. Of my ministry 
I am not vain ! but of my muse, I own it. 
Come, you shall hear the verses now. 

[Takes up a MS. 

JOSEPH. 

My Lord, 
The deeds, the notaries ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 



59 



RICHELIEU. 

True, I pity you ; 
But business first, then pleasure. 



[Exit Joseph. 




RICHELIEU {seats himself and reading). 

Ah, sublime ! 

Enter De Mauprat and Julie. 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Oh, speak, my Lord — I dare not think you mock me. 
And yet 



6o RicheL 



leu : 



RICHELIEU. 
Hush — -hush — This line must be considered! 



JULIE. 
Are we not both your children? 

RICHELIEU. 

What a couplet ! 
How now ! Oh! Sir — you live ! 



Elysium is not life ! 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Why, no, methinks, 



JULIE. 

He smiles ! — you smile, 
My father ! From my heart for ever now 
I '11 blot the name of orphan ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Rise, my children, 
For ye are mine — mine both ; — and in your sweet 
And young delight — your love — (life's first-born glory) 
My own lost youth breathes musical ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

I '11 seek 
Temple and priest henceforward ; — were it but 
To learn Heaven's choicest blessings. 



or, The Conspiracy. 61 

RICHELIEU. 

Thou shalt seek 

Temple and priest right soon ; the morrow's sun 

Shall see thee across these barren thresholds pass 

The fairest bride in Paris. — Go, my children ; 

Even / loved once ! Be lovers while ye may ! 

How is it with you, Sir? You bear it bravely: 

Yo'u know, it asks the courage of a lion. 

[Exeunt JULIE and De Mauprat. 

RICHELIEU. 

Oh! godlike Power ! Woe, Rapture, Penury, Wealth, — 
Marriage and Death, for one infirm old man 
Through a great empire to dispense — withhold — 
As the will whispers! And shall things — like motes 
That live in my daylight — lackeys of court wages, 
Dwarfed starvelings — manikins, upon whose shoulders 
The burden of a province were a load 
More heavy than the globe on Atlas, — cast 
Lots for my robes and sceptre? France ! I love thee ! 
All Earth shall never pluck thee from my heart ! 
My mistress France — my wedded wife, — sweet France, 
Who shall proclaim divorce for thee and me ! 

[Exit Richelieu. 




? 
3 






Scene I. 

A splendid apartment in Mauprat's new House. 
Casements opening to the Gardens, beyond which 
the domes of the Luxembourg Palace. 

Enter BARADAS. 

BARADAS. 
Mauprat's new home : — too splendid for a 

soldier ! 
But o'er his floors — the while I stalk — me- 

thinks 
My shadow spreads gigantic to the gloom 
The old rude towers of the Bastile cast far 
Along the smoothness of the jocund day. — 
Well, thou hast 'scaped the fierce caprice of 

Richelieu ; 



64 Richelieu : 



But art thou farther from the headsman, fool? 

Thy secret I have whispered to the King ; — 

Thy marriage makes the King thy foe. — Thou stand'st 

On the abyss — and in the pool below 

I see a ghastly, headless phantom mirrored ; — 

Thy likeness ere the marriage moon hath waned. 

Meanwhile — meanwhile — ha — ha, if thou art wedded, 

Thou art not wived. 

Enter Mauprat {splendidly dressed). 

DE MAUPRAT, 

Was ever fate like mine? 
So blest, and yet so wretched ! 

BARADAS. 

Joy, De Mauprat! — 
Why, what a brow, man, for your wedding day ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Jest not ! — Distraction ! 

BARADAS. 

What, your wife a shrew 
Already? Courage, man — the common lot! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Oh ! that she were less lovely, or less loved ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 



65 



BARADAS. 

Riddles again ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

You know what chanced between 
The Cardinal and myself. 




BARADAS. 

This morning brought 
Your letter: — faith, a strange account! I laughed 
And wept at once for gladness. 



DE MAUPRAT. 

We were wed 
At noon ; — the rite performed, came hither; — scarce 
Arrived, when 

5 



66 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 
Well? — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Wide flew the doors, and lo, 
Messire de Beringhen, and this epistle ! 

BARADAS. 

'T is the King's hand ! — the royal seal ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Read — read — 

BARADAS {reading). 

" Whereas Adrien de Mauprat, Colonel and Chevalier 
in our armies, being already guilty of High Treason, by 
the seizure of our town of Faviaux, has presumed, with- 
out our knowledge, consent, or sanction, to connect 
himself by marriage with Julie de Mortemar, a wealthy 
orphan attached to the person of Her Majesty, without 
our knowledge or consent — We do hereby proclaim 
and declare the said marriage contrary to law. On 
penalty of death, Adrien de Mauprat will not commu- 
nicate with the said Julie de Moitemar by word or 
letter, save in the presence of our faithful servant the 
Sieur de Beringhen, and then with such respect and 
decorum as are due to a Demoiselle attached to the 
Court of France, until such time as it may suit our 
royal pleasure to confer with the Holy Church on the 



or, The Conspiracy. 67 

formal annulment of the marriage, and with our Coun- 
cil on the punishment to be awarded to Messire de 
Mauprat, who is cautioned for his own sake to pre- 
serve silence as to our injunction, more especially to 
Mademoiselle de Mortemar. 

" Given under our hand and seal at the Louvre. 

" Louis." 

BAR AD AS {returning the letter). 

Amazement ! — Did not Richelieu say, the King 
Knew not your crime? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

He said so. 

BAR AD AS. 

Poor De Mauprat ! — 
See you the snare, the vengeance worse than death, 
Of which you are the victim? 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Ha! 
BARADAS (aside). 

It works ! 

[Julie and De Beringhen in the Gardens. 
You have not sought the Cardinal yet to 

DE MAUPRAT. 

No! 

Scarce yet my sense awakened from the shock ; 
Now I will seek him. 



68 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 

Hold, beware ! — Stir not 
Till we confer again. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Speak out, man ! — 

BARADAS. 

Hush! 
Your wife ! — De Beringhen ! — Be on your guard — 
Obey the royal orders to the letter. 
I '11 look around your palace. By my troth 
A princely mansion ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Stay 

BARADAS. 

So new a bridegroom 
Can want no visitors ; — Your servant, Madam ! 
Oh ! happy pair — Oh ! charming picture ! 

[Exit through a side-door. 

JULIE. 

Adrien, 
You left us suddenly — Are you not well ? 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Oh, very well — that is — extremely ill ! 

Julie. 
Ill, Adrien? {Taking his hand. 



or, The Conspiracy, 69 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Not when I see thee. 
\He is about to lift her hand to his lips when 
DE Beringhen coughs and pulls his mantle. 
MAUPRAT drops the hand and walks away. 

JULIE. 

Alas! 
Should he not love me? 

DE BERINGHEN {aside). 

Have a care ; I must 
Report each word — each gesture to his Majesty. 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Sir, if you were not in his Majesty's service, 
You 'd be the most officious, impudent, 
Damned busy-body ever interfering 
In a man's family affairs. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

But as 
I do belong, Sir, to his Majesty — 

DE MAUPRAT. 
You 're lucky ! — Still, were we a story higher, 
'T were prudent not to go too near the window. 

JULIE. 
Adrien, what have I done ? Say, am I changed 
Since yesterday? — or was it but for wealth, 
Ambition, life — that — that — you swore you loved me ? 



jo Richelieu ; 



DE MAUPRAT. 

I shall go mad ! — I do, indeed I do — 

DE BERINGHEN (aside}. 

Not love her ! that were highly disrespectful. 

JULIE. 

You do — what, Adrien? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Oh ! I do, indeed 

I do think, that this weather is delightful ! 
A charming day ! the sky is so serene ! 
And what a prospect ! — (to De BERINGHEN) — Oh ! 
you Popinjay ! 

JULIE. 

He jests at me ! — he mocks me ! — yet I love him, 
And every look becomes the lips we love ! 
Perhaps I am too grave? — You laugh at Julie ; 
If laughter please you, welcome be the music ! . . . 
Only say, Adrien, that you love me. 

DE MAUPRAT {kissing her hand).- 

Ay; 

With my whole heart I love you ! 

Now, Sir, go, 
And tell that to his Majesty ! — Who ever 
Heard of its being a state offence to kiss 
The hand of one's own wife? 



or. The Conspiracy. 71 

JULIE. 

He says he loves me, 
And starts away, as if to say " I love you " 
Meant something very dreadful. — Come, sit by me, — 
I place your chair ! — fie on your gallantry ! 

[They sit down ; as he pusJies his chair back, she 
draws hers nearer. 
Why must this strange Messire de Beringhen 
Be always here? He never takes a hint. 
Do you not wish him gone? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Upon my soul 
I do, my Julie ! — Send him for your bouquet, 
Your glove, your — anything. 

JULIE. 

Messire de Beringhen, 
I dropped my glove in the gardens by the fountain, 
Or the alcove, or — stay — no, by the statue 
Of Cupid ; may I ask you to 

DE BERINGHEN. 

To send for it? 
Certainly {ringing a bell on the table). Andre, Pierre, 

(your rascals, how 
Do ye call them?) 

Enter Servants. 
Ah — Madame has dropped her glove 
In the gardens, by the fountain, — or the alcove; 



J 2 Richelieu: 



Or — stay — no, by the statue — eh ? — of Cupid. 
Bring it. 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Did ever now one pair of shoulders 
Carry such wagon-loads of impudence 
Into a gentleman's drawing-room? 

Dear Julie, 
I 'm busy — letters — visitors — the devil ! 
I do beseech you leave me — I say — leave me. 

JULIE {weeping). 
You are unkind. 

{Exit. 

\As she goes out, MAUPRAT drops on one knee and 
kisses the hem of her mantle, unseen by her, 

DE BERINGHEN. 
Ten million of apologies 



DE MAUPRAT. 
I '11 not take one of them. I have, as yet, 
Withstood all things — my heart — my love — my rights. 
But Julie's tears ! When is this farce to end? 

DE BERINGHEN. 
Oh ! when you please, fiis Majesty requests me, 
As soon as you infringe his gracious orders, 
To introduce you to the Governour 
Of the Bastile. I should have had that honour 
Before, but, 'gad, my foible is good-nature ; 
One can't be hard upon a friend's infirmities. 



or, The Conspiracy. 73 

DE MAUPRAT. 
I know the King can send me to the scaffold — 
Dark prospect ! — but I 'm used to it ; and if 
The Church and Council, by this hour to-morrow, 
One way or other settle not the matter, 

I w iH 

DE BERINGHEN. 

What, my dear Sir? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Show you the door, 
My dear, dear Sir ; talk as I please, with whom 
I please, in my own house, dear Sir, until 
His Majesty shall condescend to find 
A stouter gentleman than you, dear Sir, 
To take me out; and now you understand me, 
My dear, most dear — Oh, damnably dear Sir! 

DE BERINGHEN. 
What, almost in a passion ! you will cool 
Upon reflection. Well, since Madame 's absent, 
I '11 take a small refreshment. Now, don't stir ; 
Be careful ; — how 's your burgundy? — I '11 taste it; 
Finish it all before I leave you. Nay, 
No forn ; — you see I make myself at home. 

[Exit DE BERINGHEN. 

DE MAUPRAT (going to the door through which BARADAS 

had passed). 
Baradas ! Count ! 



74 Richelieu : 



Enter Baradas. 

You spoke of snares — of vengeance 
Sharper than death — be plainer. 



BARADAS. 

Richelieu has but two passions 

DE MAUPRAT. 
BARADAS. 



What so clear? 

Richelieu ! 

Yes! 



Ambition and revenge — in you both blended. 
First for Ambition — Julie is his ward, 
Innocent — docile — pliant to his will — 
He placed her at the court — foresaw the rest — 
The King loves Julie ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Merciful Heaven ! The King ! 

BARADAS. 
Such Cupids lend new plumes to Richelieu's wings : 
But the court etiquette must give such Cupids 
The veil of Hymen — (Hymen but in name). 
He looked abroad — found you his foe : — thus served 
Ambition — by the grandeur of his ward, 
And vengeance — by dishonour to his foe ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Prove thiSo 



or, The Conspiracy. 75 

BARADAS. 
You have the proof — the royal Letter: — 
Your strange exemption from the general pardon, 
Known but to me and Richelieu ; can you doubt 
Your friend to acquit your foe? The truth is glaring — 
Richelieu alone could tell the princely Lover 
The tale which sells your life, — or buys your honour ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
I see it all! — Mock pardon — hurried nuptials — 
False bounty ! — all ! — the serpent of that smile ! 
Oh ! it stings home ! 

BARADAS. 
You yet shall crush his malice ; 
Our plans are sure : — Orleans is at our head ; 
We meet to-night; join us, and with us triumph. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

To-night ? — Oh Heaven ! — my marriage night ! — 
Revenge ! 

BARADAS. 
[What class of men, whose white lips do not curse 
The grim, insatiate, universal tyrant? 
We, noble-born — where are our antique rights — 
Our feudal seigniories — our castled strength, 
That did divide us from the base Plebeians, 
And made our swords our law — where are they ? — trod 
To dust — and o'er the graves of our dead power 



7 6 



Richelieu : 



Scaffolds are monuments — the Kingly House 
Shorn of its beams — the Royal Sun of France 
'Clipsed by this blood-red comet. Where we turn > 




Nothing but Richelieu ! — Armies — Church — State 

Laws, 
But mirrors that do multiply his beams. 
He sees all — acts all — Argus and Briaraeus — 
Spy at our boards — and deathsman at our hearths, 



or, The Conspiracy. 77 

Under the venom of one laidly nightshade, 
Wither the lilies of all France. 

DE MAUPRAT {impatiently). 

But Julie — 

barauas (unheeding him). 
As yet the Fiend that serves hath saved his power 
From every snare ; and in the epitaphs 
Of many victims dwells a warning moral 
That preaches caution. Were I not assured 
That what before was hope is ripened now 
Into most certain safety, trust me, Mauprat, 
I still could hush my hate and mark thy wrongs, 
And say, " Be patient ! " — Now, the King himself 
Smiles kindly when I tell him that his peers 
Will rid him of his Priest. You knit your brows, 
Noble impatience ! — Pass we to our scheme !] 
'T is Richelieu's wont, each morn, within his chapel, 
(Hypocrite worship ended,) to dispense 
Alms to the Mendicant friars, — in that guise 
A band (yourself the leader) shall surround 
And seize the despot. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

But the King? — but Julie? 

BARADAS. 
The King, infirm in health, in mind more feeble, 
Is but the plaything of a Minister's will. 



7 8 Richelieu : 



Were Richelieu dead — his power were mine ; and Louis 
Should soon forget his passion and your crime. 
But whither now? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

I know not : I scarce hear thee ; 
A little while for thought : anon I '11 join thee ; 
But now, all air seems tainted, and I loathe 
The face of man ! 

[Exit De Mauprat through the Gardens. 

BARADAS. 
Start from the chase, my prey, 
But as thou speed'st, the hell-hounds of Revenge 
Pant in thy track and dog thee down. 

Enter De Beringhen, his mouth full, a napkin in his 

hand. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Chevalier, 
Your cook's a miracle, — what, my Host gone? 
Faith, Count, my office is a post of danger — 
A fiery fellow, Mauprat ! touch and go, — 
Match and saltpetre, — pr — r — r — r — ! 

BARADAS. 

You 
Will be released erelong. The King resolves 
To call the bride to court this day. 



or, The Conspiracy. 79 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Poor Mauprat ! 
Yet, since you love the lady, why so careless 
Of the King's suit? 

BARADAS. 

Because the lady's virtuous, 
And the King timid. Ere he win the suit 
He '11 lose the crown, — the bride will be a widow, — 
And I — the Richelieu of the Regent Orleans. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Is Louis still so chafed against the Fox 

For snatching yon fair dainty from the Lion? 

BARADAS. 

So chafed, that Richelieu totters. Yes, the King 
Is half conspirator against the Cardinal. 
Enough of this. I 've found the man we wanted, — 
The man to head the hands that murder Richelieu, — 
The man, whose name the synonyme for daring. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

He must mean me ! — No, Count, I am — I own, 
A valiant dog — but still — 

BARADAS. 

Whom can I mean 
But Mauprat? — Mark, to-night we meet at Marion's, 



8o Richelieu 



There shall we sign : thence send this scroll {showing 

it) to Bouillon. 
You 're in that secret (affectionately) — one of our new 

Council. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

But to admit the Spaniard — France's foe — 
Into the heart of France, — dethrone the King, — 
It looks like treason, and I smell the headsman. 

BARADAS. 
Oh, Sir, too late to falter: when we meet 
We must arrange the separate — coarser scheme, 
For Richelieu's death. Of this despatch De Mauprat 
Must nothing learn. He only bites at vengeance, 
And he would start from treason. — We must post him 
Without the door at Marion's — as a sentry. 
{[Aside). — So, when his head is on the block — his 

tongue 
Cannot betray our more august designs ! 

DE BERINGHEN. 

I '11 meet you if the King can spare me. — {Aside) 

No! 
I am too old a goose to play with foxes, 
I '11 roost at home. Meanwhile, in the next room 
There 's a delicious pate, — let 's discuss it. 

BARADAS. 

Pshaw ! a man filled with a sublime ambition 
Has no time to discuss your pates. 



or, The Conspiracy, 81 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Pshaw ! 
And a man filled with as sublime a pate 
Has no time to discuss ambition. — 'Gad, 
I have the best of it ! 

Enter Julie hastily, with first Courtier. 

JULIE {to Courtier). 
A summons, Sir, 
To attend the Louvre? - — On this day, too? 

COURTIER. 

Madame, 

The royal carriage waits below. — Messire, (to De 

Beringhen), 

You will return with us. 

JULIE. 

What can this mean ? — 
Where is my husband? 

BARADAS. 

He has left the house, 
Perhaps till nightfall — so he bade me tell you. 
Alas, were I the lord of such fair treasure — 

J U LIE ( impatiently . ) 
Till nightfall? — Strange — my heart misgives me ! 

COURTIER. 

Madame, 
My orders will not brook delay. 

6 



82 Richelieu: 






julie (to Baradas). 

You '11 see him — 
And you will tell him ! 

BARADAS. 

From the flowers of Hybla 
Never more gladly did the bee bear honey, 
Than I take sweetness from those rosiest lips, 
Though to the hive of others ! 

COURTIER (to DE BERINGHEN). 

Come, Messire. 

DE BERINGHEN (hesitating). 
One moment, just to — 

COURTIER. 
Come, Sir. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

I shall not 
Discuss the pate after all. 'Ecod, 
I 'm puzzled now. I don't know who 's the best of it ! 
[Exeunt Julie, De BERINGHEN, and Courtier. 

BARADAS. 
Now will this fire his fever into madness ! 
All is made clear: Mauprat must murder Richelieu — 
Die for that crime : — I shall console his Julie — 
This will reach Bouillon ! — from the wrecks of France 



or, The Conspiracy. 83 

I shall carve out — who knows — perchance a throne ! 
All in despite of my Lord Cardinal. — 

Enter DE Mauprat from the Gardens. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Speak ! can it be? — Methought that from the terrace 
I saw the carriage of the King — and Julie ! 
No ! — no ! — my frenzy peoples the void air 
With its own phantoms ! 

BARADAS. 

Nay, too true. — Alas ! 
Was ever lightning swifter, or more blasting* 
Than Richelieu's forked guile? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

I '11 to the Louvre 

BARADAS. 

And lose all hope ! — The Louvre ! — the sure gate 
To the Bastile ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
The King 

BARADAS. 

Is but the wax, 
Which Richelieu stamps ! Break the malignant seal, 
And I will raze the print. Come, man, take heart! 
Her virtue well could brave a sterner trial 



8 4 



Richelieu : 



Than a few hours of cold, imperious courtship. 
Were Richelieu dust — no danger ! 




DE MAUPRAT. 

Ghastly Vengeance ! 
To thee, and thine august and solemn sister, 
The unrelenting Death, I dedicate 
The blood of Armand Richelieu ! When Dishonour 
Reaches our hearths, Law dies, and Murder takes 
The angel shape of Justice ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 85 

BARADAS. 

Bravely said ! 
At midnight, — Marion's ! — Nay, I cannot leave thee 
To thoughts that 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Speak not to me ! — I am yours ! — 
But speak not ! There 's a voice within my soul, 
Whose cry could drown the thunder. — Oh ! if men 
Will play dark sorcery with the heart of man, 
Let they who raise the spell beware the Fiend ! 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE II. 

A Room in the Palais Cardinal (as in the First Act). 
Richelieu and Joseph. Francois writing at a table. 

JOSEPH. 

Yes; — Huguet, taking his accustomed .round, — 
Disguised as some plain burgher, — heard these rufflers 
Quoting your name: — he listened, — " Pshaw!" said 

one, 
" We are to seize the Cardinal in his palace 
To-morrow ! " — " How? " the other asked. — " You '11 

hear 
The whole design to-night; the Duke of Orleans 
And Baradas have got the map of action 



86 Richelieu : 



At their fingers' end." — " So be it," quoth the other, 
" I will be there — Marion de Lorme's — at midnight! " 

RICHELIEU. 

I have them, man, — I have them ! 

JOSEPH. 

So they say 

Of you, my Lord; — believe me, that their plans 

Are mightier than you deem. You must employ 

Means no less vast to meet them ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Bah ! in policy 

We foil gigantic danger, not by giants, 

But dwarfs. The statues of our stately fortune 

Are sculptured by the chisel — not the axe ! 

Ah ! were I younger — by the knightly heart 

That beats beneath these priestly robes, I would 

Have pastime with these cut-throats ! — Yea, as when, 

Lured to the ambush of the expecting foe, — 

I clove my pathway through the plumed sea! 

Reach me yon falchion, Francois, — not that bawble 

For carpet-warriors, — yonder — such a blade 

As old Charles Martel might have wielded when 

He drove the Saracen from France. 

[FRANCOIS brings him one of the long two-handed 
swords worn in the middle ages. 

With this 
I, at Rochelle, did hand to hand engage 



or, The Conspiracy. 89 

The stalwart Englisher, — no mongrels, boy, 

Those island mastiffs, — mark the notch — a deep one — 

His casque made here, — I shore him to the waist ! 

A toy — a feather — then ! 

{Tries to wield, and lets it fall. 

You see, a child could 
Slay Richelieu, now. 

FRANCOIS {his hand on his hilt). 

But now , at your command 
Are other weapons, my good Lord. 

RICHELIEU {who has seated himself as to write, lifts 

the pen). 

True, — This! 

Beneath the rule of men entirely great 

The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold 

The arch-enchanter's wand ! — itself a nothing ! — 

But taking sorcery from the master-hand 

To paralyse the Caesars — and to strike 

The loud earth breathless ! — Take away the sword — 

States can be saved without it ! {Looking on the clock. 

'T is the hour, — 

Retire, Sir. {Exit Francois. 

\_A knock is heard. A door concealed in the arras 
opens cautiously. Enter Marion DE Lorme. 

JOSEPH {amazed), 
Marion de Lorme ! 



90 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

Hist ! — Joseph, 
Keep guard. [JOSEPH retires to the principal entrance. 
My faithful Marion ! 

MARION. 

Good, my Lord, 
They meet to-night in my poor house. The Duke 
Of Orleans heads them. 

RICHELIEU. 

Yes — go on. 

MARION. 

His Highness 
Much questioned if I knew some brave, discreet, 
And vigilant man, whose tongue could keep a secret, 
And who had those twin qualities for service, 
The love of gold, the hate of Richelieu. — 



RICHELIEU. 

You? — 

MARION. 

Made answer, "Yes — my brother; — bold and trusty; 
Whose faith, my faith could pledge ; " — the Duke then 

bade me 
Have him equipped and armed — well mounted — ready 
This night to part for Italy. 



or, The Conspiracy. 91 

RICHELIEU. 

Aha! — 
Has Bouillon too turned traitor? — So methought! — 
What part of Italy? 

MARION. 

The Piedmont frontier, 
Where Bouillon lies encamped. 

RICHELIEU. 

Now there is danger ! 
Great danger ! — If he tamper with the Spaniard, 
And Louis list not to my counsel, as, 
Without sure proof, he will not, — France is lost. 
What more ? 

MARION. 

Dark hints of some design to seize 
Your person in your palace. Nothing clear — 
His Highness trembled while he spoke — the words 
Did choke each other. 

RICHELIEU. 

So ! — Who is the brother 
You recommended to the Duke? 

MARION. 

Whoever 
Your Eminence may father ! — 



92 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

Darling Marion ! 
[ Goes to the table ', and returns with a large bag of gold. 
There — pshaw — a trifle ! — What an eye you have ! 
And what a smile — child ! — {kisses her) — Ah ! you 

fair perdition — 
'T is well I 'm old ! 

MARION {aside and seriously). 

What a great man he is ! 

RICHELIEU. 
You are sure they meet? — the hour? 



MARION. 



RICHELIEU. 



At midnight. 

And 



You will engage to give the Duke's despatch 
To whom I send? 

MARION. 
Ay, marry ! 

RICHELIEU {aside). 

Huguet? No; 
He will be wanted elsewhere. — Joseph? — zealous, 
But too well known — too much the elder brother ! 
Mauprat — alas ! it is his wedding day ! — 
Francois ? — the Man of Men ! — unnoted — young ; 
Ambitious — {goes to the door) — Francois ! 



or, The Coiispiracy* 



93 



Enter Francois. 



RICHELIEU. 

Follow this fair lady; 

(Find him the suiting garments, Marion,) take 

My fleetest steed : — arm thy- 
self to the teeth ; 

A packet will be given you — 
with orders, 

No matter what ! — The in- 
stant that your hand 

Closes upon it — clutch it, 
like your honour, 

Which Death alone can steal, 
or ravish — set 

Spurs to your steed — be 
breathless, till you stand 

Again before me. — Stay, Sir ! 

— You will find me 
Two short leagues hence — 

at Ruelle, in my castle. 
Young man, be blithe ! — for 

— note me — from the hour 
I grasp that packet — think 

your guardian Star 
Rains fortune on you ! — 




FRANCOIS. 
If I fail 



94 Richelieu 



RICHELIEU. 

Fail — fail? 
In the lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves 
For a bright manhood, there is no such word 
As — fail! — (You will instruct him further, Marion.) 
Follow her — but at distance; — speak not to her, 
Till you are housed. — Farewell, boy ! Never say 
"Fail" again. 

FRANCOIS. 

I will not ! 

RICHELIEU (patting his locks). 

There 's my young hero ! — 
\_Exeimt Francois, Marion. 

RICHELIEU. 
So, they would seize my person in this palace? — 
I cannot guess their scheme; — but my retinue 
Is here too large ! — a single traitor could 
Strike impotent the faith of thousands; — Joseph, 
Art sure of Huguet? — Think — we hanged his Father ! 

JOSEPH. 
But you have bought the Son ; — heaped favours on 
him ! 

RICHELIEU. 
Trash ! — favours past — that 's nothing. — In his hours 
Of confidence with you, has he named the favours 
To come — he counts on? 



or, The Conspiracy. 95 

JOSEPH. 

Yes : — a Colonel's rank, 
And Letters of Nobility. 

RICHELIEU. 

What, Huguet ! — 
[Here Huguet enters, as to address the Cardinal, 
who does not perceive him. 

HUGUET. 
My own name, soft — {glides behind the screen). 

RICHELIEU. 

Colonel and Nobleman ! 
My bashful Huguet — that can never be ! — 
We have him not the less — we '11 promise it ! 
And see the King withholds ! — Ah, kings are oft 
A great convenience to a minister ! 
No wrong to Huguet either; — Moralists 
Say, Hope is sweeter than Possession ! — Yes \ — 
We '11 count on Huguet ! Favours past do gorge 
Our dogs ; leave service drowsy — dull the scent, 
Slacken the speed ; — favours to come, my Joseph, 
Produce a lusty, hungry gratitude, 
A ravenous zeal, that of the commonest cur 
Would make a Cerberus. — You are right; this treason 
Assumes a fearful aspect: — but once crushed, 
Its very ashes shall manure the soil 
Of power ; and ripen such full sheaves of greatness, 



9 6 



Richelieu : 



That all the summer of my fate shall seem 

Fruitless beside the autumn ! 

[HuGUET holds tip his hand menacingly, and creeps 
ont. 




JOSEPH. 
The saints grant it ! 

RICHELIEU {solemnly). 

Yes — for sweet France, Heaven grant 

it ! — my country, 
For thee — thee only — though men 

deem it not — 
Are toil and terror my familiars ! — I 
Have made thee great and fair — 

upon thy brows 
Wreathed the old Roman laurel : — 

at thy feet 
Bowed nations down. — No pulse in 

my ambition 
Whose beatings were not measured 

from thy heart ! 
[In the old times before us, patriots 

lived 
And died for liberty — 



JOSEPH. 



As you would live 



And die for despotry — 



or, The Conspiracy. 97 

RICHELIEU. 

False monk, not so, 
But for the purple and the power wherein 
State clothes herself. — I love my native land 
Not as Venetian, Englisher, or Swiss, 
But as a Noble and a Priest of France ; 
" All things for France " — lo, my eternal maxim ! 
The vital axle of the restless wheels 
That bear me on ! With her I have entwined 
My passions and my fate — my crimes, my virtues — 
Hated and loved, and schemed, and shed men's blood, 
As the calm crafts of Tuscan Sages teach 
Those who would make their country great. Beyond 
The map of France — my heart can travel not, 
But fills that limit to its farthest verge ; 
And while I live — Richelieu and France are one.] 
We Priests, to whom the Church forbids in youth 
The plighted one — to manhood's toil denies 
The soother helpmate — from our withered age 
Shuts the sweet blossoms of the second spring 
That smiles in the name of Father — we are yet 
Not holier than humanity, and must 
Fulfil Humanity's condition — Love ! 
Debarred the Actual, we but breathe a life 
To the chill Marble of the Ideal — Thus, 
In thy unseen and abstract Majesty, 
My France — my Country, I have bodied forth 
A thing to love. What are these robes of state, 

7 



Richelieu : 



This pomp, this palace? perishable bawbles? 
In this world, two things only are immortal — 
Fame and a People ! 



Enter Huguet. 



HUGUET. 



My Lord Cardinal, 
Your Eminence bade me seek you at this hour. 

RICHELIEU. 

Did I? — True, Huguet. — So — you overheard 
Strange talk amongst these gallants? Snares and traps 
For Richelieu? — Well — we'll balk them; let me 

think — 
The men-at-arms you head — how many? 



Twenty, 



HUGUET. 

My Lord. 

RICHELIEU. 

All trusty? 

HUGUET. 

Yes, for ordinary 
Occasions — if for great ones, I would change 
Three fourths at least. 

RICHELIEU. 
Ay, what are great occasions ? 



or, The Conspiracy. 99 

HUGUET. 
Great bribes ! 

Richelieu (jo Joseph). 

Good lack, he knows some paragons 
Superior to great bribes ! 

HUGUET. 

True gentlemen 
Who have transgressed the laws — and value life 
And lack not gold ; your Eminence alone 
Can grant them pardon. Ergo, you can trust them ! 

RICHELIEU. 
Logic ! — So be it — let this honest twenty 
Be armed and mounted — (Aside.} So they meet at 

midnight, 
The attempt on me to-morrow — Ho ! we '11 strike 
'Twixt wind and water. — (Aloud.) Does it need much 

time 
To find these ornaments to Human Nature? 

HUGUET. 
My Lord — the trustiest of them are not birds 
That love the daylight. — I do know a haunt 
Where they meet nightly — 

RICHELIEU. 

Ere the dawn be gray, 
All could be armed, assembled, and at Ruelle 
In my old hall? 



IOO 



Richelieu 



HUGUET. 
By one hour after midnight. 



RICHELIEU. 

The castle 's strong. You 
know its outlets, Huguet? 

Would twenty men, well 
posted, keep such guard 

That not one step — (and Mur- 
der's step is stealthy) — 

Could glide within — unseen? 

HUGUET. 

A triple wall — 
A drawbridge and portcullis — 

twenty men 
Under my lead, a month might 

hold that castle 
Against a host. 

RICHELIEU. 

They do not strike till morn- 
ing, 
Yet I will shift the quarter — Bid the grooms 
Prepare the litter — I will hence to Ruelle 
While daylight last — and one hour after midnight 
You and your twenty saints shall seek me thither ! 
You 're made to rise ! — You are, Sir; — eyes of lynx, 




or, The Conspiracy. 101 

Ears of the stag, a footfall like the snow ; 
You are a valiant fellow ; — yea, a trusty, 
Religious, exemplary, incorrupt, 
And precious jewel of a fellow, Huguet ! 

If I live long enough, — ay, mark my words 

If I live long enough, you '11 be a Colonel — 
Noble, perhaps ! — One hour, Sir, after midnight. 

HUGUET. 
You leave me dumb with gratitude, my Lord ; 
I'll pick the trustiest — (aside) Marion's house can 
furnish ! 

\Exit Huguet. 

RICHELIEU. 

How like a spider shall I sit in my hole, 
And watch the meshes tremble. 

JOSEPH. 

But, my Lord, 
Were it not wiser still to man the palace, 
And seize the traitors in the act? 

RICHELIEU. 

No; Louis, 
Long chafed against me — Julie stolen from him, 
Will rouse him more. — He'll say I hatched the treason, 
Or scout my charge : — He half desires my death ; 
But the despatch to Bouillon, some dark scheme 
Against his crown — there is our weapon, Joseph ! 
With that, all safe — without it, all is peril ! 



T02 Richelieu: 



Meanwhile to my old castle ; you to court, 

Diving with careless eyes into men's hearts, 

As ghostly churchmen should do ! See the King, 

Bid him peruse that sage and holy treatise, 

Wherein 't is set forth how a Premier should 

Be chosen from the Priesthood — how the King 

Should never listen to a single charge 

Against his servant, nor conceal one whisper 

That the rank envies of a court distil 

Into his ear — to fester the fair name 

Of my — I mean his Minister ! — Oh ! Joseph, 

A most convincing treatise. 

Good — all favours, 
If Francois be but bold, and Huguet honest. — 
Huguet — I half suspect — he bowed too low — 
'T is not his way. 

JOSEPH. 
This is the curse, my Lord, 
Of your high state ; — suspicion of all men. 

RICHELIEU {sadly). 
True ; — true ; — my leeches bribed to poisoners ; — pages 
To strangle me in sleep. — My very King 
(This brain the unresting loom from which was woven 
The purple of his greatness) leagued against me. 
Old — childless — friendless — broken — all forsake ; 
All — all — but — 

JOSEPH. 
What? 



or, The Conspiracy. 103 

RICHELIEU. 

The indomitable heart 
Of Armand Richelieu ! 

JOSEPH. 

Naught beside? 

RICHELIEU. 

Why, Julie. 
My own dear foster-child, forgive me; — yes; 
This morning, shining through their happy tears, 
Thy soft eyes blessed me ! — and thy Lord, — in danger, 
He would forsake me not. 

JOSEPH. 

And Joseph 



RICHELIEU {after a pause). 

You — 
Yes, I believe you — yes — for all men fear you — ■ 
And the world loves you not. — And I, friend Joseph, 
I am the only man who could, my Joseph, 
Make you a Bishop. — Come, we '11 go to dinner, 
And talk the while of methods to advance 
Our Mother Church. — Ah, Joseph, — Bishop Joseph! 




b 



Scene I. 

Richelieu's Castle at Ruelle. A Gothic chamber. 
Moonlight at the window, occasionally obscured. 

RICHELIEU {reading). 

" In silence, and at night, the Conscience feels 

That life should soar to nobler ends than 

Power." 
So sayest thou, sage and sober moralist! 
But wert thou tried? — Sublime Philosophy, 
Thou art the Patriarch's ladder, reaching 

heaven, 
And bright with beck'ning angels — but, alas ! 
We see thee, like the Patriarch, but in dreams, 
By the first step — dull-slumbering on the 

earth. 
I am not happy ! — with the Titan's lust 




o6 Richelieu : 



I wooed a goddess, and I clasp a cloud. 

When I am dust, my name shall, like a star, 

Shine through wan space, a glory — and a prophet 

Whereby pale seers shall from their aery towers 

Con all the ominous signs, benign or evil, 

That make the potent astrologue of kings. 

But shall the Future judge me by the ends 

That I have wrought — or by the dubious means 

Through which the stream of my renown hath run 

Into the many-voiced unfathomed Time? 

Foul in its bed lie weeds, and heaps of slime, 

And with its waves, when sparkling in the sun, 

Ofttimes the secret rivulets that swell 

Its might of waters blend the hues of blood. 

Yet are my sins not those of CIRCUMSTANCE, 

That all-pervading atmosphere, wherein 

Our spirits, like the unsteady lizard, take 

The tints that colour, and the food that nurtures? 

Oh ! ye, whose hour-glass shifts its tranquil sands 

In the unvexed silence of a student's cell ; — 

Ye, whose untempted hearts have never tossed 

Upon the dark and stormy tides where life 

Gives battle to the elements, — and man 

Wrestles with man for some slight plank, whose weight 

Will bear but one — while round the desperate wretch 

The hungry billows roar — and the fierce Fate, 

Like some huge monster, dim-seen through the surf, 

Waits him who drops; — ye safe and formal men, 

Who write the deeds, and with unfeverish hand 



or, The Conspiracy. 107 

Weigh in nice scales the motives of the Great, 
Ye cannot know what ye have never tried ! 
History preserves only the fleshless bones 
Of what we are — and by the mocking skull 
The would-be wise pretend to guess the features ! 
Without the roundness and the glow of life 
How hideous is the skeleton ! Without 
The colourings and humanities that clothe 
Our errors, the anatomists of schools 
Can make our memory hideous ! 

I have wrought 
Great uses out of evil tools — and they 
In the time to come may bask beneath the light 
Which I have stolen from the angry gods, 
And warn their sons against the glorious theft, 
Forgetful of the darkness which it broke. 
I have shed blood, but I have had no foes 
Save those the State had ; if my wrath was deadly, 
'T is that I felt my country in my veins, 
And smote her sons as Brutus smote his own. 
And yet I am not happy — blanched and seared 
Before my time — breathing an air of hate, 
And seeing daggers in the eyes of men, 
And wasting powers that shake the thrones of earth 
In contest with the insects — bearding kings 
And braved by lackeys — murder at my bed; 
And lone amidst the multitudinous web, 
With the dread Three — that are the Fates who hold 
The woof and shears — the Monk, the Spy, the Headsman. 



1 08 Richelieu 



And this is Power? Alas! I am not happy. 

[After a pause. 
And yet the Nile is fretted by the weeds 
Its rising roots not up ; but never yet 
Did one least barrier by a ripple vex 
My onward tide, unswept in sport away. 
Am I so ruthless then, that I do hate 
Them who do hate me? Tush, tush ! I do not hate; 
Nay, I forgive. The Statesman writes the doom, 
But the Priest sends the blessing. I forgive them, 
But I destroy ; forgiveness is mine own, 
Destruction is the State's ! For private life, 
Scripture the guide — for public, Machiavel. 
Would Fortune serve me if the Heaven were wroth? 
For chance makes half my greatness. I was born 
Beneath the aspect of a bright-eyed star, 
And my triumphant adamant of soul 
Is but the fixed persuasion of success. 
Ah ! — here ! — that spasm ! — again ! — How Life and 

Death 
Do wrestle for me momently ! — And yet 
The King looks pale. I shall outlive the King ! 
And then, thou insolent Austrian, — who didst gibe 
At the ungainly, gaunt, and daring lover, 
Sleeking thy looks to silken Buckingham, — 
Thou shalt — no matter! — I have outlived love. 
O beautiful — all golden — gentle youth ! 
Making thy palace in the careless front 
And hopeful eye of man — ere yet the soul 



or, The Conspiracy. 109 

Hath lost the memories which (so Plato dreamed) 

Breathed glory from the earlier star it dwelt in — 

O for one gale from thine exulting morning, 

Stirring amidst the roses, where of old 

Love shook the dew-drops from his glancing hair ! 

Could I recall the past — or had not set 

The prodigal treasures of the bankrupt soul 

In one slight bark upon the shoreless sea; 

The yoked steer, after his day of toil, 

Forgets the goad, and rests — to me alike 

Or day or night — Ambition has no rest ! 

Shall I resign? — who can resign himself? 

For custom is ourself ; as drink and food 

Become our bone and flesh — the aliments 

Nurturing our nobler part, the mind — thoughts, dreams, 

Passions, and aims, in the revolving cycle 

Of the great alchemy — at length are made 

Our mind itself; and yet the sweets of leisure — 

An honoured home — far from these base intrigues — 

An eyrie on the heaven-kissed heights of wisdom — 

[ Taking up the book. 
Speak to me, moralist ! — I '11 heed thy counsel. 
Were it not best 

Enter FRANCOIS hastily, and in part disguised. 

RICHELIEU {flinging away the book). 

Philosophy, thou liest ! 
Quick — the despatch ! Power — Empire ! Boy — the 
packet. 



1 1 o Richelieu 



FRANCOIS. 
Kill me, my Lord. 

RICHELIEU. 

They knew thee — they suspected - 

They gave it not 

FRANCOIS. 

He gave it — he — the Count 
De Baradas — with his own hand he gave it ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Baradas ! Joy ! out with it ! 

FRANCOIS. 

Listen, 
And then dismiss me to the headsman. 



RICHELIEU. 

Go on. 



Ha! 



FRANCOIS. 
They led me to a chamber — There 
Orleans and Baradas — and some half-score, 
Whom I know not — were met 

RICHELIEU. 

Not more S 

FRANCOIS. 

But from 

The adjoining chamber broke the din of voices, 

The clattering tread of armed men ; at times 

A shriller cry, that yelled out, " Death to Richelieu ! " 



or, The Conspiracy. 1 1 1 

RICHELIEU. 

Speak not of me : thy country is in danger ! 
The adjoining room — So, so — a separate treason ! 
The one thy ruin, France ! — the meaner crime, 
Left to their tools, my murder ! — 

FRANCOIS. 

Baradas 
Questioned me close — demurred — until, at last, 
O'erruled by Orleans, — gave the packet — told me 
That life and death were in the scroll — this gold — ■ 

RICHELIEU. 
Gold is no proof — 

FRANCOIS. 

And Orleans promised thousands, 
When Bouillon's trumpets in the streets of Paris 
Rang out shrill answer. — Hastening from the house, 
My footstep in the stirrup, Marion stole 
Across the threshold, whispering, " Lose no moment 
Ere Richelieu have the packet : tell him too — 
Murder is in the wings of Night, and Orleans 
Swears, ere the dawn the Cardinal shall be clay." 
She said, and trembling fled within; when, lo ! 
A hand of iron griped me ; through the dark 
Gleamed the dim shadow of an armed man: 
Ere I could draw — the prize was wrested from me, 
And a hoarse voice gasped — ■ " Spy, I spare thee, for 



1 1 2 Richelieu : 



This steel is virgin to thy Lord ! " with that 

He vanished. — Scared and trembling for thy safety 

I mounted, fled, and, kneeling at thy feet, 

Implore thee to acquit my faith — but not, 

Like him, to spare my life. — 

RICHELIEU. 

Who spake of life ? 
I bade thee grasp that treasure as thine honour — 
A jewel worth whole hecatombs of lives ! 
Begone ! — redeem thine honour — back to Marion — 
Or Baradas — or Orleans — track the robber — 
Regain the packet — or crawl on to Age — 
Age and gray hairs like mine — and know, thou hast 

lost 
That which had made thee great and saved thy 

country. — 
See me not till thou 'st bought the right to seek me. — 
Away ! — Nay, cheer thee, thou hast not failed yet, — 
There 's no such word as "fail" ! 

FRANCOIS. 

Bless you, my Lord, 
For that one smile ! — I'll wear it on my heart 
To light me back to triumph. 

[Exit. 

RICHELIEU. 

The poor youth ! 
An elder had asked life ! — I love the young ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 113 

For as great men live not in their own time, 
But the next race, — so in the young, my soul 
Makes many Richelieus. He will win it yet. 
Francois ! — He 's gone. My murder ! Marion's warn- 
ing! 
This bravo's threat ! O for the morrow's dawn ! 
I '11 set my spies to work — I '11 make all space 
(As does the sun) an Universal Eye — 
Huguet shall track — Joseph confess — ha ! ha ! — 
Strange, while I laughed I shuddered — and ev'n now 
Through the chill air the beating of my heart 
Sounds like a death-watch by a sick man's pillow; 
If Huguet could deceive me — hoofs without — 
The gates unclose — steps near and nearer ! 



Enter Julie. 

JULIE. 
My father ! 



Cardinal ! 
[Falls at his feet. 



RICHELIEU. 

Julie at this hour ! — and tears ! 
What ails thee? 

JULIE. 
I am safe ; I am with thee ! — 

RICHELIEU. 
Safe ! why in all the storms of this wild world 
What wind would mar the violet? 

8 



r 14 Richelieu: 



JULIE. 

That man — 
Why did I love him? — clinging to a breast 
That knows no shelter? 

Listen — late at noon — 
The marriage-day — ev'n then no more a lover — 
He left me coldly, — well, — I sought my chamber 
To weep and wonder — but to hope and dream. 
Sudden a mandate from the King — to attend 
Forthwith his pleasure at the Louvre. 

RICHELIEU. 

Ha! 

You did obey the summons ; and the King 

Reproached your hasty nuptials. 

JULIE. 

Were that all ! 
He frowned and chid ; proclaimed the bond unlawful : 
Bade me not quit my chamber in the palace, 
And there at night — alone — this night — all still — 
He sought my presence — dared — thou read'st the heart, 
Read mine ! — I cannot speak it ! 

RICHELIEU. 

He a king, — 
You ■ — woman ; well, — you yielded ! 



JULIE. 

Cardinal — 
Dare you say " yielded"? — Humbled and abashed, 



or, The Conspiracy. 



"5 



He from the chamber crept — this mighty Louis; 
Crept like a baffled felon ! — yielded ! Ah ! 
More royalty in woman's honest heart 
Than dwells within the crowned majesty 
And sceptred anger of a hundred 

kings ! 
Yielded ! — Heavens ! — yielded ! 

RICHELIEU. 
To my breast, — close — close! 
The world would never need a 

Richelieu, if 
Men — bearded, mailed men — the 

Lords of Earth — 
Resisted flattery, falsehood, avarice, 

pride, 
As this poor child with the dove's 

innocent scorn 
Her sex's tempters, Vanity and 

Power ! — 
He left you — well ! 



JULIE. 
Then came a sharper trial ! 
At the king's suit, the Count de 

Baradas 
Sought me to soothe, to fawn, to flatter, while 
On his smooth lip insult appeared more hateful 
For the false mask of pity : letting fall 
Dark hints of treachery, with a world of sighs 




1 1 6 Richelieu : 



That Heaven had granted to so base a Lord 

The heart whose coldest friendship were to him 

What Mexico to misers ! Stung at last 

By my disdain, the dim and glimmering sense 

Of his cloaked words broke into bolder light, 

And THEN — ah ! then, my haughty spirit failed me ! 

Then I was weak — wept — oh! such bitter tears! 

For (turn thy face aside and let me whisper 

The horror to thine ear) then did I learn 

That he — that Adrien — that my husband — knew 

The king's polluting suit, and deemed it honour! 

Then all the terrible and loathsome truth 

Glared on me • — coldness — waywardness, reserve — 

Mystery of looks — words- — all unravelled, — and 

I saw the impostor, where I had loved the god ! 

RICHELIEU. 

I think thou wrong'st thy husband — but proceed. 

JULIE. 
Did you say "wronged" him? — Cardinal, my father, 
Did you say " wronged" ? Prove it, and life shall grow 
One prayer for thy reward and his forgiveness. 

RICHELIEU. 
Let me know all. 

JULIE. 

To the despair he caused 
The courtier left me; but amid the chaos 



or, The Conspiracy. 



117 



Darted one guiding ray — to 'scape — to fly — 

Reach Adrien, learn the worst- — 'twas then near 

midnight : 
Trembling I left my chamber — 

sought the queen — 
Fell at her feet — revealed the 

unholy peril — 
Implored her aid to flee our joint 

disgrace. 
Moved, she embraced and soothed 

me ; nay, preserved ; 
Her word sufficed to unlock the 

palace-gates : 
I hastened home — but home was 

desolate, — 
No Adrien there! Fearing the 

worst, I fled 
To thee, directed hither. As my 

wheels 
Paused at thy gates — the clang of 

arms behind — 
The ring of hoofs — 




RICHELIEU. 
'T was but my guards, fair trembler. 
(So Huguet keeps his word, my omens wronged him.) 



JULIE. 

Oh, in one hour what years of anguish crowd ! 



1 1 8 Richelieu .• 



RICHELIEU. 

Nay, there 's no danger now. Thou needest rest. 
Come, thou shalt lodge beside me. Tush ! be cheered. 
My rosiest Amazon — thou wrong'st thy Theseus. 
All will be well — yes, yet all well. 

[Exeunt through a side door. 



SCENE II. 

Enter Huguet — De Mauprat, in complete armour, his visor 
down. The moonlight obscured at the casement. 

Huguet. 

Not here ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Oh, I will find him, fear not. Hence and guard 
The galleries where the menials sleep — plant sentries 
At every outlet — Chance should throw no shadow 
Between the vengeance and the victim ! Go ! — 
Ere yon brief vapour that obscures the moon, 
As doth our deed pale conscience, pass away, 
The mighty shall be ashes. 

HUGUET. 

Will you not 
A second arm? 



or. 



The Conspiracy. 



119 



DE MAUPRAT. 
To slay one weak old man? — 
Away ! No lesser wrongs than mine can make 
This murder lawful. Hence ! 



HUGUET. 
A short farewell ! 
[Exit HUGUET. 

Re-enter RICHELIEU (not per- 
ceiving De Mauprat). 

RICHELIEU. 

How heavy is the air ! — the ,■ 

id 
vestal lamp * 

Of the sad moon, weary with 

vigil, dies 
In the still temple of the 

solemn heaven ! 
The very darkness lends itself 

to fear — 
To treason — 

DE MAUPRAT. 

And to death ! 




RICHELIEU. 



What art thou, wretch? 



My omens lied not ! 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Thy doomsman ! 



1 20 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

Ho, my guards ! 
Huguet ! Montbrassil ! Vermont ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Ay, thy spirits 
Forsake thee, wizard ; thy bold men of mail 
Are my confederates. Stir not ! but one step, 
And know the next — thy grave ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Thou liest, knave ! 
I am old, infirm — most feeble — but thou liest! 
Armand de Richelieu dies not by the hand 
Of man — the stars have said it — and the voice 
Of my own prophet and oracular soul 
Confirms the shining Sibyls ! — Call them all, 
Thy brother butchers ! Earth has no such fiend — 
No ! as one parricide of his fatherland, 
Who dares in Richelieu murder France ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Thy stars 
Deceive thee, Cardinal ; thy soul of wiles 
May against kings and armaments avail, 
And mock the embattled world ; but powerless now 
Against the sword of one resolved man, 
Upon whose forehead thou hast written shame ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 1 2 1 

RICHELIEU. 
I breathe ; he is not a hireling. Have I wronged thee ? 
Beware surmise — suspicion — lies! I am 
Too great for men to speak the truth of me ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Thy acts are thy accusers, Cardinal ! 
In his hot youth, a soldier, urged to crime 
Against the State, placed in your hands his life; — 
You did not strike the blow — but o'er his head, 
Upon the gossamer thread of your caprice, 
Hovered the axe. His the brave spirit's hell, 
The twilight terror of suspense ; — your death 
Had set him free ; he purposed not, nor prayed it. 
One day you summoned — mocked him with smooth 

pardon — 
Showered wealth upon him — bade an angel's face 
Turn Earth to Paradise 

RICHELIEU. 

Well! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Was this mercy? 
A Caesar's generous vengeance? — Cardinal, no ! 
Judas, not Caesar, was the model ! You 
Saved him from death for shame ; reserved to grow 
The scorn of living men — to his dead sires 
Leprous reproach — scoff of the age to come — 



i 2 2 Richelieu 



A kind convenience — a Sir Pandarus 

To his own bride, and the august adulterer ! 

Then did the first great law of human hearts, 

Which with the patriot's, not the rebel's, name 

Crowned the first Brutus, when the Tarquin fell, 

Make Misery royal — raise this desperate wretch 

Into thy destiny ! Expect no mercy ! 

Behold De Mauprat ! 

[Lifts his visor. 

RICHELIEU. 

To thy knees, and crawl 
For pardon ; or, I tell thee, thou shalt live 
For such remorse, that, did I hate thee, I 
Would bid thee strike, that I might be avenged ! 
It was to save my Julie from the King, 
That in thy valour I forgave thy crime ; — 
It was — when thou — the rash and ready tool — 
Yea of that shame thou loath'st — didst leave thy hearth 
To the polluter — in these arms thy bride 
Found the protecting shelter thine withheld. 

[Goes to the side door. 
Julie de Mauprat — Julie! 

Enter JULIE. 

Lo ! my witness ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

What marvel 's this ? — I dream ! my Julie — thou ! 
This, thy beloved hand? 



or, The Conspiracy. 123 

JULIE. 

Henceforth all bond 
Between us twain is broken. Were it not 
For this old man, I might, in truth, have lost 
The right — now mine — to scorn thee ! 

RICHELIEU. 

So, you hear her? 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Thou with some slander hast her sense infected ! 

JULIE. 
No, Sir: he did excuse thee in despite 
Of all that wears the face of truth. Thy friend — 
Thy confidant — familiar — Baradas — 
Himself revealed thy baseness. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Baseness ! 



RICHELIEU. 
That thou didst court dishonour. 



Ay; 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Baradas ! 
Where is thy thunder, Heaven ? — Duped ! — snared ! — 

undone ! 
Thou — thou couldst not believe him ! Thou dost love 

me ! 
Love cannot feed on falsehoods ! 



124 Richelieu : 



JULIE {aside'). 

Love him ! — Ah ! 
Be still, my heart! {Aloud.) Love you I did: — how 

fondly, 
Woman — if women were my listeners now — 
Alone could tell ! — For ever fled my dream: 
Farewell — all 's over ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Nay, my daughter, these 
Are but the blinding mists of daybreak love, 
Sprung from its very light, and heralding 
A noon of happy summer. — Take her hand, 
And speak the truth, with which your heart runs over — 
That this Count Judas — this Incarnate Falsehood — 
Never lied more, than when he told thy Julie 
That Adrien loved her not — except, indeed, 
When he told Adrien, Julie could betray him. 

JULIE (embracing De Mauprat). 

You love me, then ! — you love me ! — and they 
wronged you ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Ah ! couldst thou doubt it? 

RICHELIEU. 

Why, the very mole 
Less blind than thou ! Baradas loves thy wife ; — 
Had hoped her hand — aspired to be that cloak 
To the King's will, which to thy bluntness seems 



""•""•:;> 



■I- 







■ • 



.1-' * 






r 



or, The Conspiracy. 127 

The Centaur's poisonous robe — hopes even now 
To make thy corpse his footstool to thy bed ! 
Where was thy wit, man ? — Ho ! these schemes are glass ! 
The very sun shines through them. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Oh, my Lord, 
Can you forgive me? 

RICHELIEU. 

Ay, and save you ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Save ! — 
Terrible word ! — Oh, save thyself : — these halls 
Swarm with thy foes : already for thy blood 
Pants thirsty Murder ! 

JULIE. 

Murder? 

RICHELIEU. 

Hush ! put by 

The woman. Hush ! a shriek — a cry — a breath 

Too loud, would startle from its horrent pause 

The swooping Death ! Go to the door, and listen ! — 

Now for escape ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

None — none ! Their blades shall pass 
This heart to thine. 

RICHELIEU {drily). 

An honourable outwork, 
But much too near the citadel. I think 



1 28 Richelieu : 



That I can trust you now (slowly, and gazing 071 him) 

— yes; I can trust you. 
How many of my troop league with you? 



All! — 



DE MAUPRAT. 

We are your troop ! 

RICHELIEU. 

And Huguet? 



DE MAUPRAT, 

Is our captain. 

RICHELIEU. 

A retributive Power ! — This comes of spies ! 

All? then the lion's skin's too short to-night, — 

Now for the fox's ! — 

JULIE. 

A hoarse, gathering murmur! - 

Hurrying and heavy footsteps ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Ha ! — the posterns? 

DE MAUPRAT. 
No egress where no sentry ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Follow me — 
I have it ! — to my chamber — quick ! Come, Julie ! 
Hush ! Mauprat, come ! 

{Murmur at a distance) — Death to the Cardinal ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 



129 



RICHELIEU. 



Bloodhounds, I laugh at ye ! — ha ! ha ! — we will 
Baffle them yet. — Ha ! ha ! 

[Exeunt JULIE, MAUPRAT, RICHELIEU. 




HUGUET {without). 

This way — this way ! 



1 30 Richelieu : 



SCENE III. 

Enter HUGUET and the Conspirators. 

HUGUET. 

De Mauprat's hand is never slow in battle ; — 
Strange, if it falter now ! Ha ! gone ! 

FIRST CONSPIRATOR. 

Perchance 
The fox had crept to rest ; and to his lair 
Death, the dark hunter, tracks him. 

[Enter MAUPRAT, throwing open the doors of the 
recess, in which a bed, whereon Richelieu lies 
extended. 



Richelieu is dead ! 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Live the King ! 



HUGUET {advancing towards the recess ; MAUPRAT 
followirig, his hand on his dagger). 
Are his eyes open? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Ay, 

As if in life ! 

HUGUET {turning back). 
I will not look on him. 
You have been long. 



or, The Conspiracy, 



131 



DE MAUPRAT. 



I watched him till he slept. 
Heed me. — No trace of blood reveals the deed ; — 
Strangled in sleep. His health hath long been broken — 




Found breathless in his bed. So runs our tale, 
Remember! Back to Paris — Orleans gives 
Ten thousand crowns, and Baradas a lordship, 
To him who first gluts vengeance with the news 
That Richelieu is in heaven ! Quick, that all France 
May share your joy ! 



132 Richelieu: 



HUGUET. 
And you ? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Will stay, to crush 

Eager suspicion — to forbid sharp eyes 

To dwell too closely on the clay ; prepare 

The rites, and place him on his bier — this my task. 

I leave to you, sirs, the more grateful lot 

Of wealth and honours. Hence ! 

HUGUET. 

I shall be noble ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 
Away! 

FIRST CONSPIRATOR. 

Five thousand crowns ! 

OMNES. 

To horse ! — to horse ! 

{Exeunt Conspirators. 



SCENE IV. 

Still night. — A room in the house of Count de Baradas, 
lighted, &c. 

Orleans and De Beringhen. 

DE BERINGHEN. 
I understand. Mauprat kept guard without: 
Knows naught of the despatch — but heads the troop 



or, The Conspiracy. 133 

Whom the poor Cardinal fancies his protectors. 
Save us from such protection ! 



ORLEANS. 

Yet, if Huguet, 
By whose advice and proffers we renounced 
Our earlier scheme, should still be Richelieu's minion. 
And play us false — 

DE BERINGHEN. 

The fox must then devour 
The geese he gripes, (I 'm out of it, thank Heaven !) 
And you must swear you smelt the trick, but seemed 
To approve the deed — to render up the doers. 



Enter Baradas, 



BARADAS. 



Julie is fled: — the King, whom now I left 

To a most thorny pillow, vows revenge 

On her — on Mauprat — and on Richelieu! Well; 

We loyal men anticipate his wish 

Upon the last — and as for Mauprat — 

\Showing a writ. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Hum! 
They say the Devil invented printing ! Faith, 
He has some hand in writing parchment — eh, Count? 
What mischief now? 



1 34 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 

The King, at Julie's flight 
Enraged, will brook no rival in a subject — 
So on this old offence — the affair of Faviaux — 
Ere Mauprat can tell tales of us, we build 
His bridge between the dungeon and the grave. 

ORLEANS. 
Well ; if our courier can but reach the army, 
The cards are ours ! — and yet, I own, I tremble. 
Our names are in the scroll — discovery, death! 

BARADAS. 
Success, a crown ! 

DE BERINGHEN {apart to BARADAS). 

Our future Regent is 
No hero. 

BARADAS (to DE BERINGHEN). 

But his rank makes others valiant ; 
And on his cowardice I mount to power. 
Were Orleans Regent — what were Baradas? 
Oh ! by the way — I had forgot, your Highness, 
Friend Huguet whispered me, "Beware of Marion : 
I 've seen her lurking near the Cardinal's palace." 
Upon that hint, I 've found her lodgings elsewhere. 

ORLEANS. 
You wrong her, Count. Poor Marion ! — she adores me. 



or, The Conspiracy. 135 

BARADAS {apologetically). 

Forgive me, but 

Enter Page. 

PAGE. 
My Lord, a rude, strange soldier, 
Breathless with haste, demands an audience. 

BARADAS. 

So! — 
The archers? 

PAGE. 

In the anteroom, my Lord, 
As you desired. 

BARADAS. 

'T is well — admit the soldier. \Exit Page. 
Huguet! — I bade him seek me here. 

Enter Huguet. 

HUGUET. 

My Lords, 

The deed is done. Now, Count, fulfil your word, 

And make me noble ! 

BARADAS. 

Richelieu dead? — art sure? 
How died he? 

HUGUET. 

Strangled in his sleep : — no blood, 

No telltale violence. 



136 Richelieu: 



BARADAS. 

Strangled? — monstrous villain ! 
Reward for murder ! Ho, there ! [Stamping. 

Enter Captain with five Archers. 

HUGUET. 

No, thou durst not ! 

BARADAS. 
Seize on the ruffian — bind him — gag him ! Off 
To the Bastile ! 

HUGUET. 
Your word — your plighted faith! 

BARADAS. 
Insolent liar ! — ho, away ! 

HUGUET. 

Nay, Count; 
I have that about me, which 

BARADAS. 

Away with him ! 
[Exeunt HUGUET and Archers. 
Now, then, all 's safe ; Huguet must die in prison, 
So Mauprat : — coax or force the meaner crew 
To fly the country. Ha, ha ! thus, your Highness, 
Great men make use of little men. 



or, The Conspiracy. 137 

DE BERINGHEN. 

My Lords, 
Since our suspense is ended — you '11 excuse me; 
'T is late — and, entre nous, I have not supped yet ! 
I 'm one of the new Council now, remember; 
I feel the public stirring here already; 
A very craving monster. Au revoir! 

[Exit De BERINGHEN. 

ORLEANS. 
No fear, now Richelieu *s dead. 

BARADAS. 

And could he come 
To life again, he could not keep life's life — 
His power — nor save De Mauprat from the scaffold — 
Nor Julie from these arms — nor Paris from 
The Spaniard — nor your Highness from the throne ! 
All ours ! all ours ! in spite of my Lord Cardinal ! 

Enter Page. 

PAGE. 

A gentleman, my Lord, of better mien 

Than he who last 

BARADAS. 

Well, he may enter. 

[Exit Page. 

ORLEANS. 

Who 
Can this be? 



1 38 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 

One of the conspirators : 
Mauprat himself, perhaps. 



Enter Francois. 

FRANCOIS. 

My Lord 



BARADAS. 

Ha, traitor ! 
In Paris still? 

FRANCOIS. 

The packet — the despatch — 
Some knave played spy without, and reft it from me, 
Ere I could draw my sword. 

BARADAS. 

Played spy without! 
Did he wear armour? 

FRANCOIS. 
Ay, from head to heel. 

ORLEANS. 
One of our band. Oh, heavens ! 

BARADAS. 

Could it be Mauprat? 
Kept guard at the door — knew naught of 'the despatch — 
How HE? — and yet, who other? 



or, The Co7tspiracy. 139 



FRANCOIS. 

Ha, De Mauprat ! 
The night was dark — his visor closed. 

BARADAS. 

. 'T was he ! 
How could he guess? — 'sdeath ! if he should betray us. 
His hate to Richelieu dies with Richelieu — and 
He was not great enough for treason. — Hence ! 
Find Mauprat — beg, steal, filch, or force it back, 
Or, as I live, the halter 

FRANCOIS. 

By the morrow 
I will regain it, (aside) and redeem my honour ! 

\_Exit Francois. 

ORLEANS. 
Oh, we are lost — 

BARADAS. 
Not so ! But cause on cause 
For Mauprat's seizure — silence — death ! Take courage. 

ORLEANS. 
Should it once reach the King, the Cardinal's arm 
Could smite us from the grave. 

BARADAS. 

Sir, think it not ! 



140 Richelieu : 



I hold De Mauprat in my grasp. To-morrow, 
And France is ours ! Thou dark and fallen Angel, 
Whose name on earth 's Ambition — thou that mak'st 
Thy throne on treasons, stratagems, and murder — 
And with thy fierce and blood-red smile canst quench 
The guiding stars of solemn empire — hear us — 
(For we are thine) — and light us to the goal ! 




ORLEANS. 
How does my brother bear the Cardinal's 

death? 

BARADAS. 
With grief, when thinking of the toils of 

State ; 
With joy, when thinking of the eyes of 

Julie: — 
At times he sighs, " Who now shall govern 

France ? " 
Anon exclaims, " Who now shall baffle 

Louis?" 



G 



/? 




142 Richelieu: 



Enter LOUIS and other Courtiers. {They uncover.) 
ORLEANS. 
Now, my liege, now, I can embrace a brother. 




LOUIS. 

Dear Gaston, yes. — I do believe you love me ; — 

Richelieu denied it — severed us too long. 

A great man, Gaston ! Who shall govern France? 



or, The Conspiracy. 143 

BARADAS. 
Yourself, my liege. That swart and potent star 
Eclipsed your royal orb. He served the country, 
But did he serve, or seek to sway the King? 

[LOUIS. 
You 're right — he was an able politician — 
That 's all : — between ourselves, Count, I suspect 
The largeness of his learning — specially 
In falcons — a poor huntsman, too ! 

BARADAS. 

Ha— ha! 
Your Majesty remembers — 

LOUIS. 

Ay, the blunder 
Between the greffier and the souillard when — 

[Checks and crosses himself. 
Alas ! poor sinners that we are ! we laugh 
While this great man — a priest, a cardinal, 
A faithful servant — out upon us ! — • 

BARADAS. 

Sire, 
If my brow wear no cloud, 't is that the Cardinal 
No longer shades the King. 

LOUIS (looking up at the skies). 
Oh, Baradas ! 
Am I not to be pitied? — what a day 
For — 



144 Richelieu 



BARADAS. 

Sorrow? — No, sire ! 

LOUIS. 

Bah ! for hunting, man, 
And Richelieu 's dead ; 'twould be an indecorum 
Till he is buried — [yawns) — life is very tedious. 
I made a madrigal on life last week : 
You do not sing, Count? — Pity; you should learn. 
Poor Richelieu had no ear — yet a great man. 
Ah ! what a weary weight devolves upon me ! 
These endless wars — these thankless Parliaments — 
The snares in which he tangled States and Kings, 
Like the old fisher of the fable, Proteus, 
Netting great Neptune's wariest tribes, and changing 
Into all shapes when Craft pursued himself: 
Oh, a great man ! 

BARADAS. 
Your royal mother said so, 
And died in exile. 

LOUIS {sadly). 

True : I loved my mother. 

BARADAS. 
The Cardinal dies. — Yet day revives the earth; 
The rivers run not back. In truth, my liege, 
Did your high orb on others shine as him, 
Why, things as dull in their own selves as I am 
Would glow as brightly with the borrowed beam. 



or, The Conspiracy. 145 

LOUIS. 
Ahem ! — He was too stern. 

ORLEANS. 

A very Nero. 

BARADAS. 

His power was like the Capitol of old — 
Built on a human skull. 

LOUIS. 

And, had he lived, 
I know another head, my Baradas, 
That would have propped the pile: I 've seen him eye 

thee 
With a most hungry fancy. 

BARADAS (anxiously). 

Sire, I knew 
You would protect me. 

LOUIS. 

Did you so? of course! 
And yet he had a way with him — a something 

That always — But no matter — he is dead. 

And, after all, men called his King " The Just," 
And so I am. Dear Count, this silliest Julie, 
I know not why, she takes my fancy. Many 
As fair, and certainly more kind; but yet 
It is so. Count, I am no lustful Tarquin, 



146 Richelieu: 



And do abhor the bold and frontless vices 
Which the Church justly censures; yet, 'tis sad 
On rainy days to drag out weary hours — 
Deaf to the music of a woman's voice — 
Blind to the sunshine of a woman's eyes. 
It is no sin in Kings to seek amusement; 
And that is all I seek. I miss her much — 
She has a silver laugh — a rare perfection. 

BARADAS. 
Richelieu was most disloyal in that marriage.] 

LOUIS {querulously). 
He knew that Julie pleased me : — a clear proof 
He never loved me ! 

BARADAS. 

Oh, most clear ! — But now 
No bar between the lady and your will ! 
This writ makes all secure: a week or two 
In the Bastile will sober Mauprat's love, 
And leave him eager to dissolve a hymen 
That brings him such a home. 

LOUIS. 

See to it, Count. 

{Exit BARADAS. 
I '11 summon Julie back. A word with you. 

{Takes aside First Courtier and De BERINGHEN, 
and passes, conversing with them, through the 
Gardens. 



or, The Conspiracy. 147 

Enter Francois. 

FRANCOIS. 

All search, as yet, in vain for Mauprat ! — Not 

At home since yesternoon — a soldier told me 

He saw him pass this way with hasty strides; 

Should he meet Baradas — they'd rend it from him — 

And then — benignant Fortune, smile upon me — 

I am thy son ! — if thou desert'st me now, 

Come, Death, and snatch me from disgrace. But, no, 

There 's a great Spirit ever in the air 

That from prolific and far-spreading wings 

Scatters the seeds of honour — yea, the walls 

And moats of castled forts — the barren seas — 

The cell wherein the pale-eyed student holds 

Talk with melodious science — all are sown 

With everlasting honours, if our souls 

Will toil for fame as boors for bread — 

Enter Mauprat. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Oh, let me — 
Let me but meet him foot to foot — I '11 dig 
The Judas from his heart ; — albeit the King 
Should o'er him cast the purple ! 

FRANCOIS. 

Mauprat ! hold : — 
Where is the 



1 48 Richelieu : 



DE MAUPRAT. 
Well ! What wouldst thou ? 

FRANCOIS. 

The despatch ! 

The packet. — Look ON me — I serve the Cardinal ; 

You know me. — Did you not keep guard last night 

By Marion's house? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

I did ; — no matter now ! — 
They told me, he was here! — 

FRANCOIS. 

Ojoy! quick — quick - 
The packet thou didst wrest from me? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

The packet ? - 
What, art thou he I deemed the Cardinal's spy 
(Dupe that I was) — and overhearing Marion — 

FRANCOIS. 
The same — restore it ! — haste ! 

DE MAUPRAT. 

I have it not : — 
Methought it but revealed our scheme to Richelieu, 
And, as we mounted, gave it to 



or, The Conspiracy. 149 

Enter Baradas. 

Stand back ! 
Now, villain ! now — I have thee ! 

(To Francois.) — Hence, Sir ! — Draw ! 

FRANCOIS. 

Art mad? — the King's at hand ! leave him to Richelieu ! 
Speak — the despatch — to whom — 

DE MAUPRAT (dashing him aside, and rushing to 
Baradas). 

Thou triple slanderer ! 
I '11 set my heel upon thy crest ! 

[A few passes. 
FRANCOIS. 

Fly — fly! — 
The King! — 

Enter at one side LOUIS, ORLEANS, DE BERINGHEN, 
Courtiers, &c. ; at the other, the Guards hastily. 

LOUIS. 
Swords drawn — -before our very palace ! — 
Have our laws died with Richelieu? 

BARADAS. 

Pardon, Sire, — 
My crime but self-defence. {Aside to King.) It is 
De Mauprat ! 



5o 



Richelieu : 



LOUIS. 
Dare he thus brave us? 

[Baradas goes to the Guard, and gives the writ. 




DE MAUPRAT. 

Sire, in the Cardinal's name — 

BARADAS. 

Seize him — disarm — to the Bastile ! 

[De Mauprat, seized, struggles with the Guard — 
FRANCOIS restlessly endeavoitritig to pacify and 
speak to him — when the gates open. Enter RICHE- 
LIEU — JOSEPH — followed by Arquebusiers. 



or, The Conspiracy. 151 

BARADAS. 

The Dead 
Returned to life ! 

LOUIS. 

What ! a mock death ! this tops 
The Infinite of Insult. 

DE MAUPRAT (breaking from the Guards). 
Priest and Hero ! — 
For you are both — protect the truth ! — 

RICHELIEU {taking the writ from the Guard). 

What's this? 
DE BERINGHEN. 
Fact in philosophy. Foxes have got 
Nine lives, as well as cats ! — 

BARADAS. 

Be firm, my liege. 

LOUIS. 
I have assumed the sceptre — I will wield it ! 

JOSEPH. / 

The tide runs counter — there'll be shipwreck some- 
where. 

[BARADAS and ORLEANS keep close to the KING, 
whispering and prompting him when RICHELIEU 
speaks. 



*52 



Richelieu 



RICHELIEU. 
High treason — Faviaux ! still that stale pretence ! 
My liege, bad men (ay, Count, most knavish men !) 

Abuse your royal goodness. — 

For this soldier, 
France hath none braver — and 

his youth's hot folly, 
Misled — (by whom your Highness 

may conjecture !) — 
Is long since cancelled by a loyal 

manhood. — 
I, Sire, have pardoned him. 

LOUIS. 

And we do give 
Your pardon to the winds. — Sir, 
do your duty ! 

RICHELIEU. 
What, Sire? — you do not 
know — Oh, pardon me— 
You know not yet, that this 
brave, honest heart 
Stood between mine and murder ! — Sire ! for my sake — 
For your old servant's sake — undo this wrong. 
See, let me rend the sentence. 




LOUIS. 



At your peril ! 
This is too much : — Again, Sir, do your duty! 



or, The Conspiracy. 153 

RICHELIEU. 
Speak not, but go : — I would not see young Valour 
So humbled as gray Service. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Fare you well. 
Save Julie, and console her. 

FRANCOIS {aside to MAUPRAT). 
The despatch ! 
Your fate, foes, life, hang on a word ! — to whom? 

DE MAUPRAT. 

To Huguet. 

FRANCOIS. 
Hush — keep counsel ! — silence — hope ! 
[Exeunt MAUPRAT and Guard. 

BAR ADAS {aside to FRANCOIS). 

Has he the packet? 

FRANCOIS. 

He will not reveal — 

{Aside?) Work, brain ! — beat, heart ! — 4i There 's no 

such word as fail! " 

\Exit Francois. 

RICHELIEU {fiercely). 
Room, my Lords, room ! — the Minister of France 
Can need no intercession with the Kirig. 

[ They fall back. 



154 Richelieu: 



LOUIS. 
What means this false report of death, Lord Cardinal? 

RICHELIEU. 
Are you then angered, Sire, that I live still? 

LOUIS. 
No ; but such artifice — 

RICHELIEU. 

Not mine : — look elsewhere ! 
Louis — my castle swarmed with the assassins. 

BARADAS {advancing). 
We have punished them already. Huguet now 
In the Bastile. — Oh ! my Lord, we were prompt 
To avenge you — we were — 

RICHELIEU. 

We? — ha! ha! }/ou hear, 
My liege ! What page, man, in the last court grammar 
Made you a plural? Count, you have seized the 

hireling: — 
Sire, shall I name the master? 

LOUIS. 

Tush ! my Lord, 
The old contrivance: — ever does your wit 
Invent assassins, — that ambition may 
Slay rivals — 



or, The Conspiracy. 157 

RICHELIEU. 
Rivals, Sire, in what? 
Service to France? I have none! Lives the man 
Whom Europe, paled before your glory, deems 
Rival to Armand Richelieu? 

LOUIS. 

What, so haughty ! 
Remember, he who made can unmake. 

RICHELIEU. 

Never ! 
Never ! Your anger can recall your trust, 
Annul my office, spoil me of my lands, 
Rifle my coffers, — but my name — my deeds, 
Are royal in a land beyond your sceptre ! 
Pass sentence on me, if you will ; from Kings, 
Lo ! I appeal to time ! [Be just, my liege — 
I found your kingdom rent with heresies 
And bristling with rebellion; lawless nobles 
And breadless serfs ; England fomenting discord ; 
Austria — her clutch on your dominion; Spain 
Forging the prodigal gold of either Ind 
To armed thunderbolts. The Arts lay dead, 
Trade rotted in your marts, your Armies mutinous, 
Your Treasury bankrupt Would you now revoke 
Your trust, so be it ! and I leave you, sole 
Supremest Monarch of the mightiest realm, 
From Ganges to the Icebergs : — Look without ; 



1 58 Richelieu : 



No foe not humbled ! — Look within ; the Arts 
Quit for your schools their old Hesperides, 
The golden Italy ! while through the veins 
Of your vast empire flows in strengthening tides 
Trade, the calm health of nations ! 

Sire, I know 
Your smoother courtiers please you best — nor measure 
Myself with them, — yet sometimes I would doubt 
If Statesmen rocked and dandled into power 
Could leave such legacies to kings ! 

[Louis appears irresolute. 

BARADAS {passing him, whispers). 

But Julie, 
Shall I not summon her to court?] 

LOUIS {motions to BARADAS and turns haughtily to 
the Cardinal). 

Enough ! 
Your Eminence must excuse a longer audience. 
To your own palace : — For our conference, this 
Nor place — nor season. 

RICHELIEU. 

Good my liege, for Justice 
All place a temple, and all season, summer! — 
Do you deny me justice? — Saints of Heaven ! 
He turns from me ! — Do you deny me justice? 
For fifteen years, while in these hands dwelt Empire, 



or, The Conspiracy. 159 

The humblest craftsman — the obscurest vassal — 

The very leper shrinking from the sun, 

Though loathed by Charity might ask for justice ! — 

Not with the fawning tone and crawling mien 

Of some I see around you — Counts and Princes — 

Kneeling for favours ; — but, erect a v( id loud, 

As men who ask man's rights ! — m\ liege, my Louis, 

Do you refuse me justice — audience even — 

In the pale presence of the baffled Murder? 

LOUIS. 

Lord Cardinal — one by one you have severed from me 
The bonds of human love. All near and dear 
Marked out for vengeance — exile or the scaffold. 
You find me now amidst my trustiest friends, 
My closest kindred ; — you would tear them from me ; 
They murder you forsooth, since me they love ! 
Enough of plots and treasons for one reign ! 
Home ! — home ! and sleep away these phantoms ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Sire! 

I patience, Heaven ! — sweet Heaven ! — Sire, from 

the foot 
Of that Great Throne, these hands have raised aloft 
On an Olympus, looking down on mortals 
And worshipped by their awe — before the foot 
Of that high throne, — spurn you the gray-haired man 
Who gave you empire — and now sues for safety? 



1 60 Richelieu : 



LOUIS. 



No : — when we see your Eminence in truth 
At the foot of the throne — we '11 listen to you. 

[Exit Louis. 



ORLEANS. 

Saved ! 

BARADAS. 



For this, deep thanks to Julie and to Mauprat ! 

RICHELIEU. 

My Lord de Baradas — I pray your pardon — 
You are to be my successor ! — your hand, Sir ! 

BARADAS {aside). 
What can this mean? — 

RICHELIEU. 

It trembles, see ! it trembles ! 
The hand that holds the destinies of nations 
Ought to shake less ! — poor Baradas — poor France ! 

BARADAS. 

Insolent 

[Exeunt Baradas and Orleans. 



or, The Conspiracy. 161 

SCENE II. 

RICHELIEU. 
Joseph — Did you hear the King? 

JOSEPH. 
I did — there 's danger ! Had you been less haughty ., . • 

RICHELIEU. 

And suffered slaves to chuckle — " See the Cardinal — 
How meek his Eminence is to-day ! " — I tell thee 
This is a strife in which the loftiest look 
Is the most subtle armour 

JOSEPH. 

But 



RICHELIEU. 

No time 
For ifs and buts. I will accuse these traitors ! 
Francois shall witness that De Baradas 
Gave him the secret message for De Bouillon, 
And told him life and death were in the scroll. 
I will — I will — 

JOSEPH. 

Tush ! Frangois is your creature ; 
So they will say, and laugh at you ! — your witness 
Must be that same Despatch. 



1 62 Richelieu: 



RICHELIEU. 

Away to Marion ! 

JOSEPH. 

I have been there — she is seized — removed — impris- 
oned — 
By the Count's orders. 

RICHELIEU. 

Goddess of bright dreams, 
My country — shalt thou lose me now, when most 
Thou need'st thy worshipper? My native land ! 
Let me but ward this dagger from thy heart, 
And die — but on thy bosom? 

Enter JULIE. 

JULIE. 

Heaven ! I thank thee ! 
It cannot be, or this all-powerful man 
Would not stand idly thus. 

RICHELIEU. 

What dost thou here? 
Home ! 

JULIE. 

Home ! — is Adrien there ? — you 're dumb — yet 
strive 
For words ; I see them trembling on your lip, 



or, The Conspiracy. 163 

But choked by pity. It was truth — all truth ! 
Seized — the Bastile — and in your presence, too ! 
Cardinal, where is Adrien? — Think — he saved 
Your life: — your name is infamy, if wrong 
Should come to his ! 

RICHELIEU. 
Be soothed, child. 

JULIE. 

Child no more; 
I love, and I am woman ! Hope and suffer — 
Love, suffering, hope, — what else doth make the 

strength 
And majesty of woman? — Where is Adrien? 

Richelieu (to Joseph). 

Your youth was never young — you never loved : — 
Speak to her — 

JOSEPH. 

Nay, take heed — the King's command, 
'T is true — I mean — the — 

julie (to Richelieu). 

Let thine eyes meet mine ; 
Answer me but one word — I am a wife — 
I ask thee for my home — my FATE — my ALL ! 
Where is my husband ? 



1 64 Richelieu : 



RICHELIEU. 

You are Richelieu's ward, 
A soldier's bride : they who insist on truth 
Must outface fear; — you ask me for your husband? 
There — where the clouds of heaven look darkest,- o'er 
The domes of the Bastile ! 

JULIE. 

I thank you, father; 
You see I do not shudder. Heaven forgive you 
The sin of this desertion ! 

RICHELIEU {detaining her). 

Whither wouldst thou? 

JULIE. 

Stay me not. Fie ! I should be there already. 

I am thy ward, and haply he may think 

Thou 'st taught me-also, to forsake the wretched ! 

RICHELIEU. 
I 've filled those cells — with many — traitors all. 
Had they wives too? — Thy memories, Power, are 

solemn ! 
Poor sufferer ! — think'st thou that yon gates of woe 
Unbar to love? Alas ! if love once enter, 
'T is for the last farewell ; between those walls 
And the mute grave — the blessed household sounds 
Only heard once — while, hungering at the door, 
The headsman whets the axe. 



or, The Conspiracy. 165 

JULIE. 

O mercy ! mercy S 
Save him, restore him, father ! Art thou not 
The Cardinal-King? — the Lord of life and death — 
Beneath whose light, as deeps beneath the moon, 
The solemn tides of Empire ebb and flow? — 
Art thou not Richelieu? 

RICHELIEU. 

Yesterday I was ! — 
To-day, a very weak old man ! — To-morrow, 
I know not what ! 

JULIE. 
Do you conceive his meaning? 
Alas ! I cannot. But, methinks, my senses 
Are duller than they were ! 

JOSEPH. 

The King is chafed 
Against his servant. Lady, while we speak, 
The lackey of the anteroom is not 
More powerless than the Minister of France 

[RICHELIEU. 
And yet the air is still; Heaven wears no cloud; 
From Nature's silent orbit starts no portent 
To warn the unconscious world ; — albeit this night 
May with a morrow teem which, in my fall, 



1 66 Richelieu 



Would carry earthquake to remotest lands, 

And change the Christian globe. What wouldst thou, 

woman? 
Thy fate and his, with mine, for good or ill, 
Are woven threads. In my vast sum of life 
Millions such units merge.] 

Enter First Courtier. 
FIRST COURTIER. 

Madame de Mauprat ! 
Pardon, your Eminence — even now I seek 
This lady's home — commanded by the King 
To pray her presence. 

JULIE (clinging to RICHELIEU). 

Think of my dead father ! — 
Think how, an infant, clinging to your knees, 
And looking to your eyes, the wrinkled care 
Fled from your brow before the smile of childhood, 
Fresh from the dews of heaven ! Think of this, 
And take me to your breast. 

RICHELIEU. 

To those who sent you ! — 
And say you found the virtue they would slay 
Here — couched upon this heart, as at an altar, 
And sheltered by the wings of sacred Rome ! 
Begone ! 




■ K * s "\ 



or, The Conspiracy. 169 

FIRST COURTIER. 
My Lord, I am your friend and servant — 
Misjudge me not; but never yet was Louis 
So roused against you : — shall I take this answer ? — 
It were to be your foe. 

RICHELIEU. 

All time my foe, 
If I, a Priest, could cast this holy Sorrow 
Forth from her last asylum ! 

FIRST COURTIER. 

He is lost ! 

\Exit First Courtier. 
RICHELIEU. 
God help thee, child ! — she hears not ! Look upon her ! 
The storm, that rends the oak, uproots the flower. 
Her father loved me so ! and in that age 
When friends are brothers ! She has been to me 
Soother, nurse, plaything, daughter. Are these tears? 
O shame, shame ! — dotage ! 

JOSEPH. 

Tears are not for eyes 

That rather need the lightning, which can pierce 

Through barred gates and triple walls, to smite 

Crime, where it cowers in secret ! — The Despatch ! 

Set every spy to work ; — the morrow's sun 

Must see that written treason in your hands, 

Or rise upon your ruin. 



1 70 Richelieu 



RICHELIEU. 

Ay — and close 
Upon my corpse ! — I am not made to live — 
Friends, glory, France, all reft from me; — my star 
Like some vain holiday mimicry of fire, 
Piercing imperial heaven, and falling down, 
Rayless and blackened, to the dust — a thing 
For all men's feet to trample ! Yea ! — to-morrow 
Triumph or death ! Look up, child ! — Lead us, Joseph. 
[As they are going out, enter Baradas and 
De Beringhen. 

BARADAS. 
My Lord, the King cannot believe your Eminence 
So far forgets your duty, and his greatness, 
As to resist his mandate ! Pray you, Madam, 
Obey the King — no cause for fear ! 



JULIE. 
RICHELIEU 



My father ! 



She shall not stir ! 

BARADAS. 

You are not of her kindred - 
An orphan — 

RICHELIEU. 

And her country is her mother ! 

BARADAS. 
The country is the King! 



or, The Conspiracy. 171 

RICHELIEU. 

Ay, is it so? — 
Then wakes the power which in the age of iron 
Burst forth to curb the great, and raise the low. 
Mark, where she stands ! — around her form I draw 
The awful circle of our solemn Church ! 
Set but a foot within that holy ground, 
And on thy head — yea, though it wore a crown — 
I launch the curse of Rome ! 

BARADAS. 

I dare not brave you ! 
I do but speak the orders of my King. 
The Church, your rank, power, very word, my Lord, 
Suffice you for resistance : — blame yourself, 
If it should cost you power ! 

RICHELIEU. 

That my stake. — Ah ! 
Dark gamester ! what is thine? Look to it well ! — 
Lose not a trick. — By this same hour to-morrow 
Thou shalt have France, or I thy head ! 

baradas {aside to De Beringhen). 

He cannot 
Have the Despatch? 



DE BERINGHEN. 

No : were it so, your stake 



Were lost already. 



17 2 Richelieu: 



JOSEPH {aside). 
Patience is your game : 
Reflect, you have not the Despatch ! 

RICHELIEU. 

O monk ! 
Leave patience to the saints — for /am human! 
Did not thy father die for France, poor orphan? 
And now they say thou hast no father ! — Fie ! 
Art thou not pure and good? — if so, thou art 
A part of that — the Beautiful, the Sacred — 
Which, in all climes, men that have hearts adore, 
By the great title of their mother country ! 

BAR AD AS {aside). 
He wanders ! 

RICHELIEU. 

So cling close unto my breast, 

Here where thou droop'st lies France ! I am very 

feeble — 

Of little use it seems to either now. 

Well, well — we will go home. 

BARADAS. 

In sooth, my Lord, 
You do need rest — the burdens of the State 
O'ertask your health ! 



richelieu (to Joseph). 
I 'm patient, see ! 



or. The Conspiracy. 173 

BARADAS (aside). 

His mind 
And life are breaking fast ! 

RICHELIEU (overhearing him). 

Irreverent ribald ! 
If so, beware the falling ruins ! Hark ! 
I tell thee, scorner of these whitening hairs, 
When this snow melteth there shall come a flood ! 
Avaunt ! my name is Richelieu — I defy thee ! 
Walk blindfold on ; behind thee stalks the headsman. 
Ha ! ha ! — how pale he is ! Heaven save my country ! 

{Falls back in JOSEPH'S arms. 

[BARADAS exit, followed by De Beringhen, betray- 
ing his exultation by his gestures. 




D 



Enter Joseph and Gaoler. 

GAOLER. 

Stay, father, I will call the governor. 

[Exit Gaoler. 

JOSEPH. 

He has it then — this Huguet; — so we learn 
From Francois. — Humph ! Now if I can 

but gain 
One moment's access, all is ours ! The 

Cardinal 



ij6 Richelieu : 



Trembles 'tween life and death. His life is power ; 
Smite one — slay both! No ^sculapian drugs, 
By learned quacks baptised with Latin jargon, 
E'er bore the healing which that scrap of parchment 
Will medicine to Ambition's flagging heart. 
France shall be saved — and Joseph be a bishop. 

iT^r Governor and Joseph, 
governor. 
Father, you wish to see the prisoners Huguet 
And the young knight De Mauprat? 

JOSEPH. 

So my office, 
And the Lord Cardinal's order, warrant, son ! 

GOVERNOR. 

Father, it cannot be : Count Baradas 

Has summoned to the Louvre Sieur de Mauprat. 



JOSEPH. 
Well, well! But Huguet — 



GOVERNOR. 

Dies at noon. 



JOSEPH. 

At noon ! 



No moment to delay the pious rites 

Which fit the soul for death. Quick — quick — admit 
me ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 



177 



GOVERNOR. 
You cannot enter, monk ! Such are my orders ! 




JOSEPH. 
Orders, vain man! — the Cardinal still is Minister. 
His orders crush all others ! 

GOVERNOR {lifting his hat). 

Save his King's ! 
See, monk, the royal sign and seal affixed 
To the Count's mandate. None may have access 



1 78 Richelieu : 



To either prisoner, Huguet or De Mauprat, 
Not even a priest, without the special passport 
Of Count de Baradas. I '11 hear no more ! 

JOSEPH. 

Just Heaven ! and are we baffled thus? Despair ! ! 
Think on the Cardinal's power — beware his anger. 

GOVERNOR. 

I '11 not be menaced, priest ! Besides, the Cardinal 
Is dying and disgraced — all Paris knows it. 
You hear the prisoner's knell ! 

[Bell tolls. 

JOSEPH. 

I do beseech you — 
The Cardinal is not dying. But one moment, 
And — hist ! — five thousand pistoles ! — 

GOVERNOR. 

How ! a bribe — 
And to a soldier, gray with years of honour ! 
Begone ! — 

JOSEPH. 
Ten thousand — twenty ! — 

GOVERNOR, 

Gaoler ! put 
This monk without our walls. 



or, The Conspiracy. 179 

JOSEPH. 

By those gray hairs — 
Yea, by this badge {touching the cross of St. Louis 
worn by the Governor) — 

The guerdon of your valour — 
By all your toils — hard days and sleepless nights — 
Borne in your country's service, noble son — 
Let me but see the prisoner ! 

GOVERNOR. 

No! 

JOSEPH. 

He hath 
Secrets of state — papers in which 

GOVERNOR (interrupting). 

I know — 
Such was his message to Count Baradas : 
Doubtless the Count will see to it ! 

JOSEPH. 

The Count! 
Then not a hope ! — You shall 

GOVERNOR. 

Betray my trust ! 
Never — not one word more. — You heard me, gaoler ! 



i8o 



Richelieu : 



JOSEPH. 
What can be done? — Distraction ! Richelieu yet! 
Must — what? — I know not ! — Thought, nerve, strength, 
forsake me. 

Dare you refuse the Church her 
holiest rights? 

GOVERNOR. 
I refuse nothing — I obey my 
orders. 

JOSEPH. 
And sell your country to her par- 
ricides ! 
Oh, tremble yet ! — Richelieu 




GOVERNOR. 



JOSEPH. 



Begone ! 

Undone ! 
[Exit Joseph, 



governor. 
A most audacious shaveling — interdicted 
Above all others by the Count. 



GAOLER. 



I hope, Sir, 
I shall not lose my perquisites. The Sieur 
De Mauprat will not be reprieved? 



or, The Conspiracy. 181 

GOVERNOR. 

Oh, fear not : 
The Count's commands by him who came for Mauprat 
Are to prepare headsman and axe by noon ; 
The Count will give you perquisites enough — 
Two deaths in one day ! 

GAOLER. 

Sir, may Heaven reward him ! 
Oh, by the way, that troublesome young fellow, 
Who calls himself the prisoner Huguet's son, 
Is here again — implores, weeps, raves to see him. 

GOVERNOR. 
Poor youth, I pity him ! 

Enter De ^ektnghen, foUxrwed by Francois. 

DE BERINGHEN (to FRANCOIS). 

Now, prithee, friend, 
Let go my cloak ; you really discompose me. 

FRANCOIS. 
No, they will drive me hence : my father ! Oh ! 
Let me but see him once — but once — one moment ! 

DE BERINGHEN (to Governor). 

Your servant, Messire ; this poor rascal, Huguet, 

Has sent to see the Count de Baradas 

Upon state secrets, that afflict his conscience. 



1 82 Richelieu: 



The Count can't leave his Majesty an instant: 
I am his proxy. 

GOVERNOR. 
The Count's word is law ! 
Again, young scapegrace ! How com'st thou admitted? 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Oh ! a most filial fellow : Huguet's son ! 
I found him whimpering in the court below. 
I pray his leave to say good-bye to father, 
Before that very long, unpleasant journey, 
Father 's about to take. Let him wait here 
Till I return. 

FRANCOIS. 
No; take me with you. 



DE BERINGHEN. 



Nay; 



After me, friend — the Public first ! 

GOVERNOR. 

The Count's 

Commands are strict. No one must visit Huguet 

Without his passport. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Here it is ! Pshaw ! nonsense ! 
I '11 be your surety. See, my Cerberus, 
He is no Hercules ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 183 

GOVERNOR. 
Well, you 're responsible. 
Stand there, friend. If, when you come out, my Lord, 
The youth slip in, 't is your fault. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

So it is ! 
{Exit through the door of the cell, followed by the Gaoler. 

GOVERNOR. 

Be calm, my lad. Don't fret so. I had once 
A father, too ! I '11 not be hard upon you, 
And so, stand close. I must not see you enter : 
You understand ! Between this innocent youth 
And that intriguing monk there is, in truth, 
A wide distinction. 

Re-enter Gaoler. 

Come, we '11 go our rounds ; 
I '11 give you just one quarter of an hour ; 
And if my Lord leave first, make my excuse. 
Yet stay, the gallery 's long and dark: no sentry 
Until he reach the grate below. He 'd best 
Wait till I come. If he should lose the way, 
We may not be in call. 

FRANCOIS. 

I '11 tell him, Sir. 
{Exeunt Governor and Gaoler. 
He 's a wise son that knoweth his own father. 



184 



Richelieu : 



I 've forged a precious one ! So far, so well ! 
Alas ! what then ? this wretch hath sent to Baradas 




Will sell the scroll to ransom life. O Heaven ! 
On what a thread hangs hope ! \_Listens at the door. 

Loud words — a cry ! 
[Looks through the keyhole. 
They struggle ! Ho ! — the packet ! ! ! 

[ Tries to open the door. 
Lost ! He has it — 



or, The Conspiracy. 185 

The courtier has it — Huguet, spite his chains, 
Grapples ! — well done ! Now — now ! [Draws back. 

The gallery 's long — 
And this is left us ! 

[Drawing his dagger, and standing behind the door. 
Re-enter De Beringhen, with the packet. 

Victory ! — Yield it, robber — 
Yield it — or die — \_A short struggle. 

DE BERINGHEN. 

Off! ho — there! — 

FRANCOIS {grappling with him). 

Death or honour ! 
[Exeunt struggling. 



SCENE II. 

The King's closet at the Louvre. A suit of rooms in perspective 
at one side. 

Baradas and Orleans. 

BARADAS. 
All smiles ! the Cardinal's swoon of yesterday 
Heralds his death to-day. Could he survive, 
It would not be as minister — so great 
The King's resentment at the priest's defiance ! 
All smiles! — And yet, should this accursed De 
Mauprat 



1 86 Richelieu : 



Have given our packet to another — 'Sdeath! 
I dare not think of it ! 

ORLEANS. 

You 've sent to search him? 

BARADAS. 
Sent, Sir, to search? — that hireling hands may find 
Upon him, naked, with its broken seal, 
That scroll, whose every word is death ! No — no — 
These hands alone must clutch that awful secret. 
I dare not leave the palace, night nor day, 
While Richelieu lives — his minions — creatures — 

spies — 
Not one must reach the King ! 

ORLEANS. 

What hast thou done? 

BARADAS. 

Summoned De Mauprat hither, 

ORLEANS. 

Could this Huguet, 
Who prayed thy presence with so fierce a fervour, 
Have thieved the scroll? 

BARADAS. 

Huguet was housed with us, 
The very moment we dismissed the courier. 
It cannot be ! a stale trick for reprieve. 



or, The Conspiracy. 



187 



But, to make sure, I Ve sent our trustiest friend 

To see and sift him. — Hist ! — here comes the King 

How fare you, Sire? 




Enter Louis. 

LOUIS. 
In the same mind. I have 
Decided ! — Yes, he would forbid your presence, 
My brother — yours, my friend, — then Julie, too ! 
Thwarts — braves — defies — ([suddenly turning to 
Baradas) We make you minister. 



1 88 Richelieu: 



Gaston, for you — the baton of our armies. 
You love me, do you not? 

ORLEANS. 

Oh, love you, Sire? 
{Aside?) Never so much as now. 

BARADAS. 

May I deserve 
Your trust {aside) until you sign your abdication ! 
My liege, but one way left to daunt De Mauprat, 
And Julie to divorce. — We must prepare 
The death-writ ; what, though signed and sealed ? we can 
Withhold the enforcement. 

LOUIS. 

Ah, you may prepare it ; 
We need not urge it to effect. 

BARADAS. 

Exactly ! 
No haste, my liege. {Looking at his watch, and aside.*) 
He may live one hour longer. 

Enter Courtier. 
COURTIER. 
The Lady Julie, Sire, implores an audience. 



or, The Conspiracy. 189 

LOUIS. 

Aha ! repentant of her folly ! — Well, 

Admit her. 

BARADAS. 

Sire, she comes for Mauprat's pardon, 
And the conditions 

LOUIS. 

You are minister — 
We leave to you our answer. 

[As Julie enters, the Captain of the Archers by an- 
other door, and whispers Baradas. 

CAPTAIN. 

The Chevalier 
De Mauprat waits below. 

BARADAS (aside). 

Now the despatch ! 

[Exit with Officer. 
Enter Julie. 

JULIE. 

My liege, you sent for me. I come where Grief 
Should come when guiltless, while the name of King 
Is holy on the earth ! Here, at the feet 
Of Power, I kneel for mercy. 

LOUIS. 

Mercy, Julie, 

Is an affair of state. The Cardinal should 

In this be your interpreter. 



190 



Richelieu : 



JULIE. 

Alas! 
I know not if that mighty spirit now 
Stoop to the things of earth. Nay, while I speak, 
Perchance he hears the orphan by the throne 
Where Kings themselves need pardon ; O my liege, 
Be father to the fatherless ; in you 
Dwells my last hope ! 




Enter Bar AD AS. 
BAR AD AS (aside). 

He has not the despatch ; 
Smiled while we searched, and braves me. — Oh ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 191 

louis (gently). 

What wouldst thou ? 

JULIE. 

A single life. — You reign o'er millions. — What 
Is one man's life to you ? — and yet to me 
'T is France — 't is earth — 't is everything ! — a life, 
A human life — my husband's. 

LOUIS (aside'). 

Speak to her, 
I am not marble, — give her hope — or — 

BARADAS. 

Madam, 

Vex not your King, whose heart, too soft for justice, 

Leaves to his ministers that solemn charge. 

[Louis walks up the stage. 



You were his friend. 



Loved me ! 



JULIE. 
BARADAS. 

I was before I loved thee. 

JULIE. 



BARADAS. 

Hush, Julie : couldst thou misinterpret 
My acts, thoughts, motives, nay, my very words, 
Here — in this palace? 



192 



Richelieu : 



Even 




JULIE. 

Now I know I 'm mad ; 
that memory failed me. 

BARADAS. 

I am young, 

Well-born and brave as Mau- 
prat : — for thy sake 

I peril what he has not — for- 
tune — power; 

All to great souls most daz- 
zling. I alone 

Can save thee from yon ty- 
rant, now my puppet ! 

Be mine ; annul the mockery 
of this marriage, 

And on the day I clasp thee 
to my breast 

De Mauprat shall be free. 




-*a^ 






JULIE. 

Thou durst not speak 
Thus in his ear (pointing to 
Louis). Thou double 
traitor ! — tremble ! 
I will unmask thee. 



BARADAS. 

I will say thou ravest. 
And see this scroll ! its letters shall be blood ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 



93 



Go to the King, count with me word for word ; 
And while you pray the life — I write the sentence ! 

JULIE. 

Stay, stay ! {rushing to the King). You have a kind and 

princely heart, 
Though sometimes it is silent: you were born 




To power — it has not flushed you into madness, 
As it doth meaner men. Banish my husband — 
Dissolve our marriage — cast me to that grave 
Of human ties, where hearts congeal to ice, 

!.3 



1 94 Richelieu 



In the dark convent's everlasting winter — 
(Surely enough for justice — hate — revenge) — 
But spare this life, thus lonely, scathed, and bloomless ; 
And when thou stand'st for judgment on thine own, 
The deed shall shine beside thee as an angel. 

LOUIS (much affected). 
Go, go, to Baradas : annul thy marriage, 
And 

JULIE (anxiously , and watching his countenance). 
Be his bride ! 

LOUIS. 

A form, a mere decorum ; 
Thou know'st I love thee. 

JULIE. 

O thou sea of shame, 
And not one star ! 

\The King goes up the stage, and passes through the 

suit of rooms at the side, in evident emotion. 

BARADAS. 
Well, thy election, Julie; 
This hand — his grave ! 

JULIE. 
His grave ! and I — 

BARADAS. 

Can save him. — 
Swear to be mine. 



or, The Conspiracy. 195 

JULIE. 

That were a bitterer death ! 
Avaunt, thou tempter ! I did ask his life — 
A boon, and not the barter of dishonour. 
The heart can break, and scorn you : wreak your malice ; 
Adrien and I will leave you this sad earth, 
And pass together hand in hand to Heaven ! 

BARADAS. 
You have decided. 

[ Withdraws to the side scene for a moment and returns. 
Listen to me, Lady ; 
I am no base intriguer. I adored thee 
From the first glance of those inspiring eyes ; 
With thee entwined ambition, hope, the future. 
/ will not lose thee! I can place thee nearest — 
Ay, to the throne — nay, on the throne, perchance ; 
My star is at its zenith. Look upon me ; 
Hast thou decided? 

JULIE. 

No, no ; you can see 
How weak I am: be human, Sir — one moment. 

BARADAS {[stamping his foot, De MaUPRAT appears at 
the side of the stage guarded} . 

Behold thy husband ! — Shall he pass to death, 
And know thou couldst have saved him? 



196 



Richelieu : 



JULIE. 

Adrien, speak ! 

But say you wish to live ! — if not, your wife, 

Your slave, — do with me as you will. 



DE MAUPRAT. 

Once more ! — 
Why, this is mercy, Count ! 

Oh, think, my Julie, 
Life, at the best, is short, — 

but love immortal ! 



;:* 




I '11 tell thee nothing ! 



baradas {taking Julie's 
hand) . 
Ah, loveliest — 

JULIE. 
Go, that touch has made 
me iron. 
We have decided — death ! 

BARADAS (to DE MAUPRAT). 
Now say to whom 
Thou gavest the packet, and 
thou yet shalt live. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

BARADAS. 

Hark, — the rack ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 197 

DE MAUPRAT. 

Thy penance 
For ever, wretch ! — What rack is like the conscience? 

JULIE. 
I shall be with thee soon. 

BARADAS (giving the writ to the Officer). 

Hence, to the headsman ! 
\_The doors are thrown open. The Huissier announces 
" His Eminence the Cardinal Due de Richelieu." 

Enter Richelieu, attended by Gentlemen, Pages, &c. y 
pale, feeble, and leaning on JOSEPH, followed by 
three Secretaries of State, atte?ided by Sub-Secre- 
taries with papers, &c. 

JULIE (rushing to RICHELIEU). 
You live — you live — and Adrien shall not die ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Not if an old man's prayers, himself near death, 
Can aught avail thee, daughter ! Count, you now 
Hold what I held on earth : — one boon, my Lord, 
This soldier's life. 

BARADAS. 

The stake, —my head ! — you said it. 
I cannot lose one trick. — Remove your prisoner. 



198 Richelieu: 



JULIE. 

No ! — No ! — 

Enter LOUIS from the rooms beyond. 

RICHELIEU {to Officer). 
Stay, Sir, one moment. My good liege, 
Your worn-out servant, willing, Sire, to spare you 
Some pain of conscience, would forestall your wishes. 
I do resign my office. 

DE MAUPRAT. 

You! 

JULIE. 

All's over! 

RICHELIEU. 

My end draws near. These sad ones, Sire, I love them. 
I do not ask his life; but suffer justice 
To halt, until I can dismiss his soul, 
Charged with an old man's blessing. 



LOUIS. 



RARADAS. 



Surely ! 

Sire 



LOUIS. 
Silence — small favour to a dying servant. 




m ''■ ; 



or, The Conspiracy. 201 



RICHELIEU. 

You would consign your armies to the baton 

Of your most honoured brother. Sire, so be it! 

Your minister, the Count de Baradas ; 

A most sagacious choice !' — Your Secretaries 

Of State attend me, Sire, to render up 

The ledgers of a realm. — I do beseech you, 

Suffer these noble gentlemen to learn 

The nature of the 'glorious task that waits them, 

Here, in my presence. 

LOUIS. 

You say well, my Lord. 
[ To Secretaries, as he seats himself. 
Approach, Sirs. 

RICHELIEU. 

I — I — faint ! — air — air ! 

[JOSEPH and a Gentleman assist him to a sofa, placed 
beneath a windozv. 

I thank you — 
Draw near, my children. 

BARADAS. 

He 's too weak to question. 
Nay, scarce to speak ; all 's safe. 



202 Richelieu : 



SCENE III. 

Manent Richelieu, Mauprat, and Julie, the last kneeling 
beside the Cardinal ; the Officer of the Guard behind Mau- 
prat. Joseph near Richelieu, watching the King. Louis. 
Baradas at the back of the lung's chair, anxious and dis- 
turbed. Orleans at a greater distance, ca?-eless and tri- 
umphant. The Secretaries. As each Secretary advances in 
his turn, he takes the portfolios from the Sub-Secretaries. 

FIRST SECRETARY. 

The affairs of Portugal 
Most urgent, Sire : one short month since the Duke 
Braganza was a rebel. 

LOUIS. 
And is still ! 

FIRST SECRETARY. 

No, Sire, he has succeeded! He is now 

Crowned King of Portugal — craves instant succour 

Against the arms of Spain. 

LOUIS. 

We will not grant it 
Against his lawful king. Eh, Count? 

BARADAS. 

No, Sire. 



or, The Conspiracy. 203 

FIRST SECRETARY. 

But Spain 's your deadliest foe : whatever 

Can weaken Spain must strengthen France. The 

Cardinal 
Would send the succours : — {solemnly) — balance, Sire, 

of Europe ! 

LOUIS. 

The Cardinal ! — balance ! — We '11 consider. — Eh, 
Count? 

BARADAS. 
Yes, Sire ; — fall back. 

FIRST SECRETARY. 
But 

BARADAS. 

Oh ! fall back, Sir. 

JOSEPH. 

Humph ! 

SECOND SECRETARY. 

The affairs of England, Sire, most urgent: Charles 

The First has lost a battle that decides 

One half his realm, — craves moneys, Sire, and succour. 

LOUIS. 

He shall have both. — Eh, Baradas? 



204 Richelieu : 



BARADAS. 

Yes, Sire. 
(Oh that despatch ! • — my veins are fire !) 

RICHELIEU (feebly, but with great distinctness). 

My liege — 
Forgive me — Charles's cause is lost ! A man, 
Named Cromwell, risen, — a great man ! — your succour 
Would fail — your loans be squandered! — Pause — 
reflect. 

LOUIS. 
Reflect. — Eh, Baradas? 

BARADAS. 

Reflect, Sire. 



JOSEPH, 



Humph ! 



LOUIS (aside). 
I half repent ! — No successor to Richelieu ! — 
Round me thrones totter ! — dynasties dissolve ! — 
The soil he guards alone escapes the earthquake ! 

JOSEPH. 
Our star not yet eclipsed ! — you mark the King? 
Oh ! had we the despatch ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Ah! Joseph ! — Child 
Would I could help thee ! 



or, The Conspiracy. 205 

Enter Gentleman, whispers Joseph, who exit hastily. 
BAR AD AS (to Secretary). 

Sir, fall back. 

SECOND SECRETARY. 

But 



BARADAS. 

Pshaw, Sir ! 
THIRD SECRETARY {mysteriously). 

The secret correspondeiice, Sire, most urgent, — 
Accounts of spies — deserters — heretics — 
Assassins — poisoners — schemes against yourself! — 

LOUIS. 
Myself ! — most urgent ! — ([looking on the documents^) 

Re-enter Joseph with Francois, whose pourpoint is streaked 
with blood. Francois passes behind the Cardinal's Attend- 
ants, and, sheltered by them from the sight of Baradas, &c, 
falls at Richelieu's feet. 

FRANCOIS. 

O my Lord ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Thou art bleeding! 

FRANCOIS. 
A scratch — I have not failed \Gives the packet. 



206 



Richelieu 



RICHELIEU. 

Hush! 
[Looking at the contents. 




THIRD SECRETARY {to King). 

Sire, the Spaniards 
Have reinforced their army on the frontiers. 
The Due de Bouillon 



or, The Conspiracy, 207 

RICHELIEU. 

Hold ! — In this department — 
A paper — here, Sire, — read yourself — then take 
The Count's advice in 't. 

Enter De BERINGHEN hastily, and draws aside 
Baradas. 
[RICHELIEU, to Secretary ■, giving an open parchment. 
baradas {bursting from De Beringhen). 

What ! and reft it from thee ! 
Ha! — hold! 

JOSEPH. 
Fall back, son, it is your turn now ! 

BARADAS. 
Death ! — the despatch ! 

LOUIS {reading). 

To Bouillon — and signed Orleans ! 
Baradas, too ! — league with our foes of Spain ! — 
Lead our Italian armies — what ! to Paris ! — 
Capture the King — my health requires repose — 
Make me subscribe my proper abdication — 
Orleans, my brother, Regent ! — Saints of Heaven ! 
These are the men I loved ! 

[Baradas draws, — attempts to rush out, — is arrested. 
Orleans, endeavouring to escape more quickly, meets 
Joseph's eye, and stops short. 

[Richelieu falls back. 



2o8 Richelieu : 



JOSEPH. 

See to the Cardinal ! 

BARADAS. 
He 's dying ! — and I shall yet dupe the King ! 

LOUIS (rushing to Richelieu). 

Richelieu ! — Lord Cardinal ! — 't is / resign ! — 
Reign thou ! 

JOSEPH. 
Alas ! too late ! — he faints ! 

LOUTS. 

Reign, Richelieu ! 

RICHELIEU (feebly). 
With absolute power? — 

LOUIS. 

Most absolute ! — Oh ! live ! 
If not for me — for France ! 

RICHELIEU. 

France ! 

LOUIS. 

Oh, this treason ! — 

The army — Orleans — Bouillon — Heavens ! — the 

Spaniard ! — 

Where will they be next week? — 



or, The Conspiracy. 209 

RICHELIEU (starting up) . 

There, — at my feet ! 
[To First and Second Secretary. 
Ere the clock strike ! the Envoys have their answer ! 

[To Third Secretary, with a ring. 
This to De Chavigny — he knows the rest — 
No need of parchment here — he must not halt 
For sleep — for food. — In my name, — MINE ! — he will 
Arrest the Due de Bouillon at the head 
Of his army ! — Ho there ! Count de Baradas, 
Thou hast lost the stake ! — Away with him ! 

[As the Guards open the folding-doors, a view of the ante- 
room beyond, lined with Courtiers. Baradas passes 
through the line. 

Ha!— ha! — 

\_Snatching De Mauprat'S death-warrant from the 
Officer. 

See here De Mauprat's death-writ, Julie ! — 
Parchment for battledores ! — Embrace your husband ! — 
At last the old man blesses you ! 

JULIE. 

O joy ! 
You are saved ; you live — I hold you in these arms. 

MAUPRAT. 
Never to part — 

14 



2 1 o Richelieu ; 



JULIE. 

No — never, Adrien — never ! 

LOUIS {peevishly). 
One moment makes a startling cure, Lord Cardinal. 

RICHELIEU. 
Ay, Sire, for in one moment there did pass 
Into this withered frame the might of France ! — 
My own dear France — I have thee yet — I have saved 

thee! 
I clasp thee still ! — it was thy voice that called me 
Back from the tomb ! — What mistress like our country ! 

LOUIS. 

For Mauprat's pardon — well ! But Julie, — Richelieu, 
Leave me one thing to love ! — 

RICHELIEU. 

A subject's luxury ! 
Yet, if you must love something, Sire, — love me I 

LOUIS {smiling in spite of himself}. 
Fair proxy for a young fresh Demoiselle ! 

RICHELIEU. 

Your heart speaks for my clients : — Kneel, my children, 
And thank your King. — 



or, The Conspiracy. 211 

JULIE. 
Ah, tears like these, my liege, 



Are dews that mount to Heaven. 



LOUIS. 



Rise — rise — be happy. 
[Richelieu beckons to De Beringhen. 

de beringhen (falteringly). 
My Lord — you are — most — happily — recovered. 

RICHELIEU. 

But you are pale, dear Beringhen: — this air 

Suits not your delicate frame — I long have thought 

so : — 
Sleep not another night in Paris : — Go, — 
Or else your precious life may be in danger. 
Leave France, dear Beringhen ! 

DE BERINGHEN. 

I shall have time, 
More than I asked for, — to discuss the pate. 

[Exit De Beringhen. 

richelieu (to Orleans). 

For you, repentance — absence — and confession! 

[To Francois. 



2 1 2 Richelieu .- 



Never say fail again. — Brave boy ! 

[To Joseph. 

He '11 be — 

A bishop first. 

JOSEPH. 
Ah, Cardinal — 

RICHELIEU. 

Ah, Joseph ! 
[To Louis — as De Mauprat and Julie converse apart. 
See, my liege — see through plots and counterplots — 
Through gain and loss — through glory and disgrace — 
Along the plains, where passionate Discord rears 
Eternal Babel- — still the holy stream 
Of human happiness glides on! 

LOUIS. 

And must we 
Thank for that also our prime Minister? 

RICHELIEU. 

No — let us own it: — there is One above 
Sways the harmonious mystery of the world, 
Ev'n better than prime ministers ! — 

Alas ! 
Our glories float between the earth and heaven 
Like clouds which seem pavilions of the sun, 
And are the playthings of the casual wind ; 



or, The Conspiracy. 



213 



Still, like the cloud which drops on unseen crags 
The dews the wild-flower feeds on, our ambition 
May from its airy height drop gladness down 
On unsuspected virtue; — and the flower 
May bless the cloud when it hath passed away ! 




